Protective effect of inactivated blastoconidia in keratinocytes and human reconstituted epithelium against C. albicans infection.

Candida albicans is commensal yeast that colonizes skin and mucosa; however, it can become an opportunist pathogen by changing from blastoconidia (commensal form) into hypha (pathogenic form). Each form activates a different cytokines response in epithelial cells. Little is known about the commensal role of C. albicans in the innate immunity. This work studied whether stimulation with C. albicans blastoconidia induces protection in keratinocytes and/or in a reconstituted human epithelium (RHE) infected with C. albicans. For this, inactivated C. albicans blastoconidia was used to stimulate keratinocytes and RHE prior to infection with C. albicans. Blastoconidia induced different cytokine expression profiles; in the case of RHE it decreased interleukin (IL)-1ß and IL-10 and increased IL-8, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and interferon γ (IFN-γ). A significant increase in the expression of human ß-defensins (HBD) 2 and HBD3 was observed in blastoconidia stimulated keratinocytes and RHE, associated with impaired growth and viability of C. albicans. Additionally, blastoconidia stimulation decreased the expression of virulence factors in C. albicans that are associated with filamentation (EFG1, CPH1 and NRG1), adhesion (ALS5), and invasion (SAP2). Blastoconidia stimulated RHE was significantly less damaged by C. albicans invasion. These results show that the commensal form of C. albicans would exert a protective effect against self-infection.

Graphene-Binding Peptide in Fusion with SARS-CoV-2 Antigen for Electrochemical Immunosensor Construction.

The development of immunosensors to detect antibodies or antigens has stood out in the face of traditional methods for diagnosing emerging diseases such as the one caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The present study reports the construction of a simplified electrochemical immunosensor using a graphene-binding peptide applied as a recognition site to detect SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. A screen-printed electrode was used for sensor preparation by adding a solution of peptide and reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The peptide-rGO suspension was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The electrochemical characterization (electrochemical impedance spectroscopy-EIS, cyclic voltammetry-CV and differential pulse voltammetry-DPV) was performed on the modified electrode. The immunosensor response is based on the decrease in the faradaic signal of an electrochemical probe resulting from immunocomplex formation. Using the best set of experimental conditions, the analytic curve obtained showed a good linear regression (r2 = 0.913) and a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.77 µg mL-1 for antibody detection. The CV and EIS results proved the efficiency of device assembly. The high selectivity of the platform, which can be attributed to the peptide, was demonstrated by the decrease in the current percentage for samples with antibody against the SARS-CoV-2 S protein and the increase in the other antibodies tested. Additionally, the DPV measurements showed a clearly distinguishable response in assays against human serum samples, with sera with a response above 95% being considered negative, whereas responses below this value were considered positive. The diagnostic platform developed with specific peptides is promising and has the potential for application in the diagnosis of other infections that lead to high antibody titers.

Consecuencias psicológicas del abuso sexual infantil cometido por representantes de la Iglesia Católica: Una revisión sistemática de la literatura / Psychological consequences of child sexual abuse by Catholic Church representatives: A systematic review of literature

El objetivo de esta revisión sistemática de la literatura sobre abuso sexual eclesiástico fue identificar el impacto psicológico de este tipo de violencia en las víctimas. Las búsquedas iniciales se realizaron entre el 10 de octubre de 2020 y el 17 de diciembre de 2020. Así, la actualización de búsquedas se realizó entre el 26 de octubre de 2020 y el 23 de enero de 2021. Los artículos incluidos se obtuvieron desde las bases de datos PsycINFO, Web of Science (WoS) y Scopus. Se establecieron criterios de inclusión, y se realizó una selección inicial por medio de los títulos y resúmenes, los cuales, fueron examinados por dos revisores de forma independientes. Los documentos seleccionados se examinaron utilizando el mismo proceso de revisores. Se incluyeron 18 estudios de 2.189 títulos y resúmenes revisados. En general, los estudios evidenciaron un impacto psicológico negativo posterior al abuso sexual infantil ocurrido en contextos eclesiásticos. Destacando el daño espiritual como una característica específica del abuso sexual eclesiástico, lo que, sumado, a las consecuencias habituales del abuso sexual, sitúa a las víctimas en una posición compleja al presentar un espectro más amplio de efectos negativos posteriores al abuso. Los hallazgos del presente estudio permiten una mejor comprensión de este problema y entregan antecedentes para el desarrollo de estrategias de recuperación adecuadas a las necesidades de estas víctimas.

The objective of this systematic review of the literature on ecclesiastical sexual abuse was to identify the psychological impacts of this type of violence on victims. The initial literature searches were conducted between October 10, 2020 and December 17, 2020. Thus, the update of searches was conducted between October 26, 2020 and January 23, 2021. The articles included were obtained from the PsycINFO, Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus databases. Inclusion criteria were established, and an initial selection was made by means of titles and abstracts, which were examined by two reviewers independently. The selected papers were examined using the same reviewer process. Eighteen studies were included out of 2,189 titles and abstracts reviewed. Overall, the studies evidenced a negative psychological impact following child sexual abuse occurring in church settings. Highlighting spiritual harm as a specific feature of ecclesiastical sexual abuse, which, in addition to the usual consequences of sexual abuse, places victims in a complex position of presenting a broader spectrum of negative effects following abuse. The findings of the present study allow a better understanding of this problem and provide background for the development of recovery strategies appropriate to the needs of these victims.

Efficacy of red light alone and methyl-aminolaevulinate-photodynamic therapy for the treatment of mild and moderate facial acne.

BACKGROUND: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been shown to be an effective alternative for acne. However, there is little information comparing the efficacy of red light alone and methyl aminolaevulinate (MAL)-PDT. AIMS: To compare the efficacy and tolerability of red light alone and MAL-PDT in patients with mild to moderate facial acne. METHODS: Thirty six patients with mild to moderate acne were enrolled. Eighteen patients recieved MAL-PDT and 18 received red light alone in two sessions, 2 weeks apart. Acne grade and lesion counts were assessed by blinded evaluators at baseline, 2, 4 and 10 weeks. RESULTS: At week 2, clinical improvement from acne grade II-IV to 0-I was observed in 82.3% of MAL-PDT group and 14.2% of red light alone group. Red light alone group had a gradual clinical improvement over time with a 77% response at week 10. In contrast, MAL-PDT group had a rapid clinical improvement with total response at week 10. Both treatments were significantly effective for improving acne lesions. However, MAL-PDT group had a greater response (P < 0.001). Histologically, decreased amounts of sebocytes and lipids along with atrophic sebaceous glands were observed after MAL-PDT. CONCLUSION: MAL-PDT has a quicker onset of action with a higher response than red light alone. MAL-PDT may induce a reduction in the size of the sebaceous glands and then long-term acne remission.

Ulcera de Marjolin, reporte de caso / Marjolin's ulcer: a case report

Se presenta el caso de una mujer de 77 años, sin antecedentes relevantes, con úlcera en tobillo izquierdo de dos años de evolución relacionada a herida previa por quemadura con agua caliente de aproximadamente 60 años de antigüedad, con crecimiento progresivo y mala respuesta a tratamiento inicial con curaciones y luego con antibióticos. Se realiza estudio con biopsia cutánea incisional que confirma cáncer espinocelular moderadamente diferenciado e infiltrante en dermis reticular, lo cual corresponde a una úlcera de Marjolin. Se deriva a cirugía oncológica en donde se realiza el estudio de etapificación con resultado de lesión ósea por contigüidad y una tomografía computada (TC) de tórax, abdomen y pelvis sin diseminación a distancia, por lo que se decide amputación infracondilea de la extremidad afectada. Debido a este caso de interés, se realiza una revisión sobre úlcera de Marjolin, con el fin de lograr un diagnóstico adecuado y un tratamiento precoz.

We present the case of a 77-year-old woman, with no relevant history, with a left ankle ulcer of two years of evolution related to previous burn injury with hot water of approximately 60 years old, with progressive growth and poor response to initial treatment with cures and then with antibiotics. A study was performed with cutaneous incisional biopsy confirming moderately differentiated and infiltrating squamous cell cancer in the reticular dermis, which corresponds to a Marjolin ulcer. It is derived to oncologic surgery where the etapification study is carried out with result of contiguous bone injury and a computed tomography (CT) thorax, abdomen and pelvis without distant dissemination, so infracondile amputation of the affected extremity is decided. Due to this interest case report, a review of Marjolin's ulcer is performed, in order to achieve an adequate diagnosis and early treatment.