[Transculturation and validation of a Questionnaire Factors Influencing Organ Donation]. / Transculturación y validación del cuestionario Factores que influyen en la Donación de Órganos.

Background: There are validated questionnaires in Spanish that evaluate the factors that influence organ donation, but they are not designed for the open population or do not delve into various aspects such as the one proposed. Objective: Validate an instrument to evaluate the factors that influence organ donation in Mexico. Material and methods: Phase 1: Development of the instrument. Translation into Spanish of the questionnaire "Factors Inffluencing Organ Donation in Qatar", adapted by experts in donation and clinimetry. Simultaneously, the definitive version of the questionnaire "Factors that Influence Organ Donation" (FIDO) and the questionnaire "International Donor Collaborative Project" were applied to patients, relatives and staff of a tertiary hospital in Puebla, Mexico. Mind a week after 200 respondents. Cronbach's Alpha (AC) (internal consistency), Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) (external consistency), and Phi (Phi) and Chi square Coefficient (concurrent validity in intention to donate) were obtained. Results: AC and ICC by domain: Knowledge 0.625 and 0.372; Attitudes 0.776 and 0.761; Beliefs 0.649 and 0.633; Intentions 0.126 and 0.123; Phi: 0.976, Chi square: 2.358 (p = 0.125). Conclusions: The FIDO questionnaire is valid and consistent to assess knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and intentions in organ donation in the general Mexican population.

Introducción: existen cuestionarios validados en español que evalúan los factores que influyen en la donación de órganos, pero no están diseñados para población abierta o no exploran aspectos diversos como el propuesto. Objetivo: validar un instrumento para evaluar los factores que influyen en la donación de órganos en México. Material y métodos: fase 1: Elaboración del instrumento. Traducción al español del cuestionario Factors Influencing Organ Donation in Qatar, adaptado por expertos en donación y clinimetría. Se realizaron pruebas piloto hasta lograr acuerdo en dos rondas consecutivas. Fase 2: Validez y consistencia. Simultáneamente se aplicó la versión definitiva del cuestionario Factores que Influyen en la Donación de Órganos (FIDO) y el cuestionario Proyecto Colaborativo Internacional Donante a pacientes, familiares y personal de un hospital de tercer nivel de Puebla, México. Se reaplicó telefónicamente una semana después a 200 respondientes. Se utilizó alfa de Cronbach (AC) (consistencia interna), coeficiente de correlación intraclase (CCI) (consistencia externa), y coeficiente de Phi (Phi) y Chi cuadrada (validez concurrente en intención de donar). Resultados: AC y CCI por dominio: Conocimiento 0.625 y 0.372; Actitudes 0.776 y 0.761; Creencias 0.649 y 0.633; Intenciones 0.126 y 0.123; Global 0.774 y 0.675, respectivamente (p = 0.000); Phi: 0.976, Chi cuadrada: 2.358 (p = 0.125). Conclusiones: el cuestionario FIDO es válido y consistente para explorar: conocimiento, actitudes, creencias e intenciones en donación de órganos en población general mexicana.

[Rapunzel syndrome: Radiological diagnosis]. / Síndrome de Rapunzel: diagnóstico radiológico.

Background: Rapunzel syndrome is a rare presentation of trichobezoar, secondary to the ingestion of hair known as trichophagia. This bezoar has been found mainly in women, it invades the stomach and extends to the small intestine. Clinically, patients present weight loss and chronic obstructive symptoms at the intestinal level. A case of Rapunzel syndrome is presented. Clinical case: A 13-year-old female presented with a weight loss of 10kg in two months, chronic constipation, predominantly nocturnal vomiting, and abdominal pain of seven days' duration. Physical examination revealed decreased peristalsis and a palpable mass in the epigastrium. Laboratories taken on admission: normal blood count, kidney function tests, and liver function tests. The abdominal X-ray showed opacity in the fundus, body and gastric antrum, the abdominal ultrasound showed non-specific findings in the epigastrium, later an abdominal tomography was performed with a swallow of water-soluble contrast medium and showed occupation in the gastric lumen. She underwent exploratory laparotomy and the finding was a trichobezoar in the stomach with extension to the duodenum and part of the jejunum, which was removed without complications. The evolution of the patient was favorable. Conclusions: For the diagnosis of Rapunzel Syndrome, the use of contrast imaging studies is necessary, and the treatment of choice is surgical.

Introducción: el síndrome de Rapunzel es una presentación poco frecuente de tricobezoar, secundario a la ingesta de cabello conocida como tricofagia. Este bezoar se ha encontrado principalmente en mujeres, invade estómago y se extiende a intestino delgado. Clínicamente, los pacientes presentan pérdida de peso y síntomas crónicos de tipo obstructivo a nivel intestinal. Se presenta un caso de síndrome de Rapunzel. Caso clínico: paciente mujer de 13 años que se presenta con pérdida de peso de 10 kg en dos meses, estreñimiento crónico, vómito de predominio nocturno y dolor abdominal de siete días de evolución. A la exploración física, se encontró peristalsis disminuida y masa palpable en epigastrio. Laboratorios tomados a su ingreso: biometría hemática, pruebas de función renal y hepáticas normales. La radiografía de abdomen mostró opacidad en fundus, cuerpo y antro gástrico, la ecografía de abdomen mostró hallazgos inespecíficos en epigastrio, posteriormente se realizó tomografía abdominal con trago de medio de contraste hidrosoluble y mostró ocupación en la luz gástrica. Se sometió a laparotomía exploradora y el hallazgo fue un tricobezoar en estómago con extensión a duodeno y parte de yeyuno, fue removido sin complicaciones. La evolución de la paciente fue favorable. Conclusiones: para el diagnóstico del síndrome de Rapunzel es necesario el uso de estudios de imagen contrastados y el tratamiento de elección es quirúrgico.

Xanthogranulomatous appendicitis; a diagnostic challenge: Clinical Case / Apendicitis xantogranulomatosa; un desafío diagnóstico: Caso Clínico

Introduction: Xanthogranulomatous inflammation is a chronic inflammatory process, rarely located in the appendix. A case of xanthogranulomatous appendicitis is presented. Clinical case. A 77-year-old male presents with intermittent pain in the right hemiabdomen and hyperthermia of one month's evolution. Physical examination showed a tumor in the iliac fossa and right abdomen. He underwent surgery for a probable incarcerated right inguinal hernia, acute perforated appendicitis was found, with inflammation and adhesions, purulent fluid in the right hemiabdomen and abdominal wall dissection. The histopathological result was xanthogranulomatous appendicitis. The evolution of the patient was favorable. Conclusion. Xanthogranulomatous appendicitis simulates a typical picture of acute appendicitis. Histopathologically, pathologies such as Crohn's disease, malacoplakia and tuberculous appendicitis were ruled out.

Introducción. La inflamación xantogranulomatosa es un proceso inflamatorio crónico, rara vez se localiza en apéndice. Se presenta un caso de apendicitis xantogranulomatosa. Caso clínico. Masculino de 77 años, presenta con dolor intermitente en hemiabdomen derecho e hipertermia de un mes de evolución. La exploración física mostró tumoración en fosa iliaca y abdomen derecho. Se sometió a cirugía por probable hernia inguinal derecha incarcerada, se encontró apendicitis aguda perforada, con inflamación y adherencias, líquido purulento en hemiabdomen derecho y disección en pared abdominal. El resultado histopatológico fue apendicitis xantogranulomatosa.  La evolución del paciente fue favorable. Conclusión. La apendicitis xantogranulomatosa simula un cuadro típico de apendicitis aguda. Histopatológicamente se descartan patologías como enfermedad de Crohn, malacoplaquia y apendicitis tuberculosa.

Características clinicoepidemiológicas de pacientes con micosis fungoide / Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with mycosis fungoides

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo y trasversal de los 15 pacientes con micosis fungoide, ingresados en el Servicio de Dermatología del Hospital General Docente "Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso" de Santiago de Cuba, desde enero del 2004 hasta diciembre del 2012, con vistas a determinar las manifestaciones clinicoepidemiológicas de la enfermedad, para lo cual se analizaron las variables: edad, sexo, color de la piel, lesiones cutáneas predominantes, tiempo de evolución y estadio clínico en el momento del diagnóstico. Luego de evaluar los resultados de la serie, se concluyó que existían dificultades para diagnosticar la entidad clínica porque no se contaba con los medios necesarios, lo cual hubiese disminuido el tiempo de evolución entre la aparición de los síntomas y la confirmación de la presencia de esta dermopatía.

A descriptive, retrospective and cross-sectional study of the 15 patients with mycosis fungoides, admitted in the Dermatology Service of "Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso" Teaching General Hospital in Santiago de Cuba was carried out from January, 2004 to December, 2012, with the objective of determining the clinical and epidemiological manifestations of the disease, for which the variables age, sex, skin color, predominant skin lesions, clinical course duration and clinical stage at the moment of the diagnosis were analyzed. After evaluating the results of the series, it was concluded that difficulties existed to diagnose the clinical entity because there were not the necessary means, which would decrease the period of the clinical course between the emergence of the symptoms and the confirmation of the presence of this dermopathy.

Características clinicoepidemiológicas de pacientes con micosis fungoide / Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with mycosis fungoides

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo y trasversal de los 15 pacientes con micosis fungoide, ingresados en el Servicio de Dermatología del Hospital General Docente Dr Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso de Santiago de Cuba, desde enero del 2004 hasta diciembre del 2012, con vistas a determinar las manifestaciones clinicoepidemiológicas de la enfermedad, para lo cual se analizaron las variables: edad, sexo, color de la piel, lesiones cutáneas predominantes, tiempo de evolución y estadio clínico en el momento del diagnóstico. Luego de evaluar los resultados de la serie, se concluyó que existían dificultades para diagnosticar la entidad clínica porque no se contaba con los medios necesarios, lo cual hubiese disminuido el tiempo de evolución entre la aparición de los síntomas y la confirmación de la presencia de esta dermopatía(AU)

A descriptive, retrospective and cross-sectional study of the 15 patients with mycosis fungoides, admitted in the Dermatology Service of Dr Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso Teaching General Hospital in Santiago de Cuba was carried out from January, 2004 to December, 2012, with the objective of determining the clinical and epidemiological manifestations of the disease, for which the variables age, sex, skin color, predominant skin lesions, clinical course duration and clinical stage at the moment of the diagnosis were analyzed. After evaluating the results of the series, it was concluded that difficulties existed to diagnose the clinical entity because there were not the necessary means, which would decrease the period of the clinical course between the emergence of the symptoms and the confirmation of the presence of this dermopathy(AU)

Cancerização de lóbulos: correlação de achados mamográficos e histológicos / Cancerization of lobules: correlation between mammography and histological findings

OBJETIVO: Caracterizar os aspectos mamográficos de cancerização de lóbulos associados a carcinoma ductal in situ (CDIS), por meio de correlação entre achados de imagem e histológicos. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: O presente estudo retrospectivo foi baseado em uma revisão de laudos histopatológicos de 135 pacientes submetidas a biópsia de mama. O diagnóstico de cancerização de lóbulos associada a CDIS foi confirmado em 12 das pacientes. Dois casos foram excluídos porque os cortes histopatológicos não estavam disponíveis para correlação da patologia com a mamografia. Todas as imagens mamográficas foram retrospectivamente analisadas às cegas quanto aos resultados histológicos e classificados por dois experientes radiologistas especializados em mama. RESULTADOS: Nove casos (90 por cento) apresentavam microcalcificações redondas agrupadas e um (10 por cento) apresentava calcificações lineares. A distribuição das calcificações foi definida como lobular em todos os casos. A análise histopatológica demonstrou quatro casos de CDIS cribriforme, dois casos de comedocarcinoma, um caso de CDIS sólido, um caso de CDIS cribriforme associado com sólido e um caso de CDIS cribriforme associado com sólido e comedocarcinoma. No caso em que havia calcificações redondas e lineares, o subtipo histológico era de CDIS cribriforme. Com relação ao número de microcalcificações, nove casos apresentavam mais do que 20 e apenas um caso apresentava menos do que 10 microcalcificações. CONCLUSÃO: Na presente coorte, a avaliação mamográfica de pacientes com CDIS apresentando cancerização de lóbulos demonstrou agrupamentos de microcalcificações redondas com distribuição lobular. Embora agrupamentos de calcificações redondas sejam normalmente associados a um processo benigno, a cancerização de lóbulos por CDIS pode produzir um padrão similar, mimetizando, assim, uma condição benigna.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the mammographic appearance of cancerization of lobules by ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), by correlating imaging and histological findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was based on a review of the histopathological reports of 135 patients who underwent breast biopsy. A diagnosis of cancerization of lobules by DCIS was confirmed in 12 patients. Two cases were excluded because the histopathological sections were not available to correlate pathological and mammographic findings. All mammograms were retrospectively reviewed and categorized by two experienced breast radiologists, with no knowledge of the histological findings. RESULTS: Nine cases (90 percent) presented clusters of round microcalcifications, and one (10 percent) had round and linear calcifications. The distribution of the calcifications was defined as lobular in all the cases. Histopathological study showed four cases of cribriform DCIS, two cases of comedo DCIS, one case of solid DCIS, one case of cribriform associated with solid DCIS, and one case of cribriform associated with solid and comedo DCIS. In the case showing round and linear calcifications, the histological subtype was cribriform DCIS. With respect to the number of microcalcifications, nine cases presented more than 20, and only one case showed less than 10 microcalcifications. CONCLUSION: In our cohort, the mammographic evaluation of patients with DCIS presenting cancerization of lobules demonstrated clusters of microcalcifications in a lobular distribution. Although clusters of round calcifications are typically associated with a benign process, cancerization of lobules by DCIS may produce a similar pattern, thus mimicking a benign condition.

Positive treatment effects of ustekinumab in psoriasis: analysis of lesional and systemic parameters.

Ustekinumab, a human anti-interleukin (IL)-12/IL-23p40 monoclonal antibody has demonstrated significant efficacy in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Skin lesion biopsies, cell surface markers on peripheral blood lymphocytes, and ex vivo T-helper (Th)1/Th2 cytokine responses from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients receiving ustekinumab 45 or 90 mg, or placebo were evaluated at baseline and week 12. Inflammatory serum protein levels were measured at baseline, week 2 and week 12. At week 12, median epidermal thickness decreased from 312.1 to 132.7 microm, and median levels of cellular proliferation (Ki67) and T-cell infiltration (CD3) decreased by 84.3% and 70.7%, respectively, in the combined ustekinumab group (all P < or = 0.002). Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, C-C motif ligand 27 (CCL27) and other inflammatory cytokines remained unchanged. Minimal variation in the percentage of T cells expressing cutaneous lymphocyte antigen (CLA) was observed following ustekinumab treatment, with no significant variation in the percentage of cells expressing CD45RA, CD45RO, CD25, human leukocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR), and C-X-C motif receptor 3 (CXCR3). No apparent effect on the magnitude of Th1/Th2 responses to external stimuli in PBMC was observed following placebo or ustekinumab treatment. Ustekinumab improves histological psoriasis measures, with minimal impact on the systemic immune system.

"I forgot to shave my hands": A case of spiny keratoderma.

A 57-year-old Caucasian man presented with multiple asymptomatic spiny papules on the palms and soles that he had been shaving off with a razor for many years. He was otherwise healthy with no personal or family history of skin disease or malignancy. A diagnosis of spiny keratoderma of the palms and soles or "music box spine dermatosis" was made. The clinical, histologic, and electron-microscopic features of spiny keratoderma are distinct. This entity previously had multiple classifications and it is important to distinguish it from other keratodermas as some keratodermas can be linked to cutaneous and internal malignancies and conditions: polycystic kidney disease, liver cysts, Darier's disease, and hyperlipoproteinemia among others. Spiny keratodermas can have systemic associations and do not resolve spontaneously. Treatment is generally ineffective.

An anti-IL-12p40 antibody down-regulates type 1 cytokines, chemokines, and IL-12/IL-23 in psoriasis.

Psoriasis is characterized by activation of T cells with a type 1 cytokine profile. IL-12 and IL-23 produced by APCs are essential for inducing Th1 effector cells. Promising clinical results of administration of an Ab specific for the p40 subunit of IL-12 and IL-23 (anti-IL-12p40) have been reported recently. This study evaluated histological changes and mRNA expression of relevant cytokines and chemokines in psoriatic skin lesions following a single administration of anti-IL-12p40, using immunohistochemistry and real-time RT-PCR. Expression levels of type 1 cytokine (IFN-gamma) and chemokines (IL-8, IFN-gamma-inducible protein-10, and MCP-1) were significantly reduced at 2 wk posttreatment. The rapid decrease of these expression levels preceded clinical response and histologic changes. Interestingly, the level of an anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10, was also significantly reduced. Significant reductions in TNF-alpha levels and infiltrating T cells were observed in high responders (improvement in clinical score, > or =75% at 16 wk), but not in low responders. Of importance, the levels of APC cytokines, IL-12p40 and IL-23p19, were significantly decreased in both responder populations, with larger decreases in high responders. In addition, baseline levels of TNF-alpha significantly correlated with the clinical improvement at 16 wk, suggesting that these levels may predict therapeutic responsiveness to anti-IL-12p40. Thus, in a human Th1-mediated disease, blockade of APC cytokines by anti-IL-12p40 down-regulates expression of type 1 cytokines and chemokines that are downstream of IL-12/IL-23, and also IL-12/IL-23 themselves, with a pattern indicative of coordinated deactivation of APCs and Th1 cells.

Molecular diagnosis of infectious diseases in dermatology.

UNLABELLED: The molecular diagnosis of infectious disease has been growing considerably over the past decade. Nucleic acid amplification techniques, such as polymerase chain reaction, ligase chain reaction, transcription-mediated amplification, and nucleic acid sequence-based amplification, provide highly accurate diagnosis of numerous bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections involved in a variety of dermatologic diseases. In addition, signal amplification with hybrid capture, branched-DNA assays, and in situ hybridization have been used to detect numerous viral pathogens with high degrees of sensitivity and specificity. New technology that involves the use of DNA and protein microarrays has also enabled the detection of a variety of genes and gene mutations. With time, these diagnostic assays are decreasing in cost, gaining approval of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and becoming easier and more efficient to use. In the future, these assays will be able to deliver rapid and accurate diagnosis of infectious diseases within a single clinic visit. LEARNING OBJECTIVE: At the completion of this learning activity, participants should be familiar with molecular diagnosis of infectious diseases in dermatology.

Changing paradigms in dermatology: antivirals in dermatology.

Almost all of the approved antiviral drugs have become available during the past two decades. Approximately one half of these agents are for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections and comprise five classes. The first three classes all act to inhibit reverse transcriptase: nucleoside analogs; nonnucleoside analogs; and nucleotide analogs. The fourth class, protease inhibitors, prevent viral packaging; the fifth class, fusion inhibitors, prevent fusion between HIV and the target cell. Four nucleoside analogs, acyclovir, valacyclovir, famciclovir and penciclovir, are approved for the therapy of herpes simplex and varicella zoster infections. Interferon alpha is approved in the injectable form for condyloma acuminatum and Kaposi's sarcoma, but the more efficient method of delivering this agent is via interferon induction following topical use of imiquimod cream. Antiviral agents are also approved for infections with cytomegalovirus, hepatitis B and C, respiratory syncytial virus, and influenza viruses. Most of these antiviral drugs are virastatic and not viracidal. Vaccines and public health measures are much more effective and cost effective than antiviral drugs and must be promoted accordingly in the defense against viral infections.

Valacyclovir in the treatment of herpes simplex, herpes zoster, and other viral infections.

BACKGROUND: Genital herpes and herpes labialis are prevalent, physically and psychologically painful, and often disabling. Herpes zoster is often very painful and may result in months or years of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Over the past two decades, the treatment of these conditions has been transformed by guanosine nucleoside antivirals such as valacyclovir (Valtrex, a highly bioavailable prodrug of acyclovir (Zovirax, and famciclovir (Famvir), a highly bioavailable prodrug of penciclovir (Denavir). OBJECTIVE: We describe the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and clinical efficacy of valacyclovir for the treatment of herpes simplex, herpes zoster, and other viral infections. Valacyclovir is also compared with acyclovir and famciclovir. METHODS: All published literature containing the word "valacyclovir" was reviewed and summarized. RESULTS: Valacyclovir is the only oral antiviral agent approved for therapy of herpes labialis, the only antiviral drug approved for a 3-day course in the episodic treatment of recurrent genital herpes, as well as the only antiviral drug approved for once daily dosing for suppressive therapy. In herpes zoster, valacyclovir is more effective than acyclovir and equally effective as famciclovir at hastening the healing of zoster-associated pain and PHN. CONCLUSION: Valacyclovir is safe and effective in the therapy of patients with herpes simplex and herpes zoster and may be useful in other viral infections.