Pexophagy modes during penicillin biosynthesis in Penicillium rubens P2-32-T.

Pexophagy is a peroxisome degradation process. The last two steps of penicillin biosynthesis in Penicillium rubens are carried out in peroxisomes. These organelles proliferate in large numbers during this process, so that after the penicillin secretion, their removal is essential as a regulatory mechanism. In this work, two pexophagy modes are described for the high-penicillin producing strain P. rubens P2-32-T, by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) on 24- and 48-h cultures (when maximum penicillin production is achieved). The obtained images show peroxisome phagocytosis by vacuoles in three different ways: macropexophagy, micropexophagy, and a new proposed model: unipexophagy.

Phaeohyphomycosis in El Salvador caused by Exophiala spinifera.

We identified Exophiala spinifera as the causal agent in a case of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis in El Salvador. Identification was based on the morphology of the fungus in tissue and the microscopic features of the culture obtained from the biopsy material. This case is the first of this type to be documented from Central America.

Topically applied thiabendazole in the treatment of scabies.

Forty patients were treated for scabies with a 10% suspension of thiabendazole applied externally. Thirty-two patients (80%) had a satisfactory response to one course of therapy, while a second course was necessary in six (15%). Two patients (5%) required intralesional injections of triamcinolone diacetate because of persistent scabious nodules.

Familial benign chronic pemphigus.

In connection with three of eight recent cases of familial benign chronic pemphigus (FBCP) a brief review of its clinical, immunofluorescent, microscopic, and ultramicroscopic characteristics was made, with special emphasis on the differential diagnosis. The two main clinical aspects of the disease are emphasized: the moist, macerated, and intertriginous (candidiasis-like) variety, and the polycyclic plaque, with active and lichenoid edges (tinea corporis-like). Treatment was only partially successful, but slightly more effective with the lichenoid form of disease.

Dehydroemetine therapy for herpes zoster. A comparison with corticosteroids.

A study involving forty patients, all sixty years of age or over, compared the use of dehydroemetine in twenty and triamcinolone in twenty for the treatment of herpes zoster. Pretreatment evolution was less than ten days. Patients treated with dehydroemetine did not experience postherpetic neuralgia, and in fourteen pain completely disappeared at the end of only one series of treatment, which in four patients consisted of only three injections. Postherpetic neuralgia developed in only eight patients out of those treated with triamcinolone, and in four pain persisted for more than six months. The results of laboratory tests, including cardiovascular evaluation, remained normal with both drugs.

Cornelia de Lange's syndrome. Report of a case associating pulmonary hypoplasia and elevated thyroxine-binding globulin.

A typical case of Cornelia de Lange's syndrome occurring in an eight year old girl is described herein. As well as the recognized features (osseous and cutaneous anomalies, including hirsutism, mental and growth retardation), this patient showed right pulmonary hypoplasia. Endocrine studies showed no evidence of pituitary, thyroid, or adrenal hypofunction. Thyroxine-binding globulin, however, was elevated, with normal thyroxine by radioimmunoassay and euthyroid state. The authors suggest the possibility of a genetically elevated thyroxin-binding globulin.

Klippel-Trénaunay-Weber syndrome. A case occurring in the ear and associated with arteriovenous fistulas.

A case of Klippel-Trénaunay-Weber syndrome is presented herein. Of particular interest were the location in the ear and the association with arteriovenous fistulas.

Practice perspectives: fat injection in different parts of the body.

Fat injection may be successfully performed in almost all parts of the body, including the face, hands, female breasts, buttocks, calves, and genitals. A review of the steps necessary for obtaining better cosmetic results with this procedure are presented.

[Genital amebiasis and cancer]. / Amebiasis genital y cáncer

Genital amebiasis is not a frequent entity. Its association with cancer is still more rare. The author found just two other cases reported in the literature reviewed since 1892 up to date. A clinico-pathologic study was made of 4 cases of this uncommon coexistence: in two patients the lesions were located in the vulva; in the other two at the cervix uteri. Two of them showed eczematous reactions that disappeared with the antiamebian treatment; they were considered as Amebids, though mechanisms of photosensitivity.

[Clinical trial of diflucortolone. Preliminary report]. / Ensayo clínico de la diflucortolona. Reporte preliminar.

Diflucortolone valerianate, a new fluorinated corticosteroid for tropical use, was applied in 52 patients suffering of diverse inflammatory dermatosis. The maximum observation time was 3 weeks. The results were, very good in 63.46%; good in 28.84%; regular in 1.92 %, and bad in 5.76%. In 73.7% of the cases good results were obtained in less than 2 weeks. The cream was cosmetically well accepted and there were no observed side effects.

[Malignant melanoma in El Salvador. Study of 101 cases]. / Melanoma maligno en El Salvador. Estudio de 101 casos.

We studied 101 Malignant Melanomas (MM) in the files of Department of Pathology of the National Medical Center of El Salvador. The incidence was 0,20 per 100.000, 54.5% in females and 45.5% in males. The mean age was 53.9% years (range 16 days-115 years). Highest frequency there occurred among 41 and 50 years. 42.5% were placed in lower limbs, 17.8% in the face, 14.8% in thorax, 7.9% in upper limbs, and 4.95 in the eye. In 18.8% it was found the antecedent of "mole" previous in the site of the tumor. 43% of the patients consulted before 6 months of evolution. In 53.8% metastasis were detected at the time of consultation. Microscopically 98.1% were of the nodular type and 1.9% lentigo maligna melanoma. Amont the nodulars, 38.5% were predominantly to epitheloid cells, 8% to fusiform cells, and 53.5% to mixed cells. 63% were placed at Clark's level V, 32% at level IV, and 5% at level III. All of them were more than 1.5 mm. in depth. 52% were medium thickness and 48% were more thant 4 mm. It is worth to emphasize: the highest frequency among females, the highest incidence in lower limbs and the microscopic aggressiveness of these tumors, almost all being of nodular type.

A comparison between one and two weeks' treatment with bifonazole in pityriasis versicolor.

The mycologic and clinical efficacy and the local tolerance for 1 and 2 weeks of once-daily treatment of sixty cases of pityriasis versicolor with bifonazole 1% cream were studied in a biometrically planned, controlled, double-blind group comparison. The mycologic findings after 2 weeks were negative in all the patients, with the exception of one from the 1-week group. Two weeks later the findings were negative in each case. The evolution of the clinical symptoms was similarly good: after 2 weeks, only two patients in the 2-week group still exhibited scaling. In one case the pruritus, which had disappeared in the course of treatment, reappeared 2 weeks later. The mycosis began to improve within the first week, except in two patients in the 2-week group and one patient in the 1-week group.

Bifonazole cream: once-a-day application every second day in tinea cruris and tinea corporis.

The efficacy and local tolerance of Bay h 4502 1% cream were investigated in Tinea corporis and Tinea cruris. This biometrically designed, noncontrolled study was carried out in 32 patients (27 males and 5 females). The mean values of age, height and body weight were 25 years, 160.7 cm and 65.7 kg. Bay h 4502 1% cream was applied once daily every second day for 2 weeks. Mycological and clinical controls were carried out 1 week after starting therapy as well as 3 days and 2 weeks after the end of therapy. The direct microscopic examination was negative in 28/28 patients (100%) after the end of therapy as well as at the follow-up examination in 32/32 patients (100%). No pathogenic organisms were seen in 20/28 patients (71%) at the end of therapy and in 28/32 patients (88%) at the follow-up control. The overall success rate shows an analogous picture: 'very good' and 'good' was assessed for 26 patients (81%) at the end of therapy. In 50% of patients the onset of improvement occurred within 5 days after start of treatment, and between the 6th and 12th day in a further 47%. The local tolerance was good. The results obtained show that there is no difference by this study in comparison with previous studies with a treatment once daily every day. This gives additional safety by minimizing the risk of failures in all those patients sometimes not following strictly doctor's advise.

Vitiligo treated with ACTH.

Six of 20 patients with extensive vitiligo treated with ACTH experienced repigmentation at the end of 15 weeks. However, depigmentation recurred when the treatment was stopped.

Levamisole plus indomethacin in the treatment of herpes simplex.

In 20 patients with severe herpes simplex, the combined use of levamisole 150 mg/day for 3 days every 2 weeks, plus indomethacin 25 mg daily for a maximum period of 6 months, gave some 75% favourable results.

Pemphigus in El Salvador. An eight-year study (1970-1977).

Of 23 patients with pemphigus seen between 1970 and 1977, 18 had foliaceus and five had vulgaris (ratio of 3.73:1). The characteristics of pemphigus foliaceus (age of onset, disease among sisters, presence of lesions resistant to corticotherapy) suggest Brazilian pemphigus foliaceus (fogo selvagem).