ABSTRACT
DNA-functionalized hydrogels are capable of sensing oligonucleotides, proteins, and small molecules, and specific DNA sequences sensed in the hydrogels' environment can induce changes in these hydrogels' shape and fluorescence. Fabricating DNA-functionalized hydrogel architectures with multiple domains could make it possible to sense multiple molecules and undergo more complicated macroscopic changes, such as changing fluorescence or changing the shapes of regions of the hydrogel architecture. However, automatically fabricating multi-domain DNA-functionalized hydrogel architectures, capable of enabling the construction of hydrogel architectures with tens to hundreds of different domains, presents a significant challenge. We describe a platform for fabricating multi-domain DNA-functionalized hydrogels automatically at the micron scale, where reaction and diffusion processes can be coupled to program material behavior. Using this platform, the hydrogels' material properties, such as shape and fluorescence, can be programmed, and the fabricated hydrogels can sense their environment. DNA-functionalized hydrogel architectures with domain sizes as small as 10 microns and with up to 4 different types of domains can be automatically fabricated using ink volumes as low as 50 µL. We also demonstrate that hydrogels fabricated using this platform exhibit responses similar to those of DNA-functionalized hydrogels fabricated using other methods by demonstrating that DNA sequences can hybridize within them and that they can undergo DNA sequence-induced shape change.
Subject(s)
DNA , Hydrogels , Hydrogels/metabolism , DNA/metabolism , Oligonucleotides , FluorescenceABSTRACT
Buruli ulcer (BU) is a chronic and destructive infection of the skin and soft tissues caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans. Recently, population flows have triggered the appearance of several sporadic cases of BU in non-endemic countries. This represents a significant diagnostic challenge for clinicians and microbiologists. We describe the first case of BU imported to Spain. The patient was a Spanish woman who had stayed 5 months in the jungle of Peru.
Subject(s)
Buruli Ulcer/etiology , Adult , Buruli Ulcer/drug therapy , Buruli Ulcer/microbiology , Buruli Ulcer/transmission , Female , HumansABSTRACT
Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is a lymphocyte-mediated scarring alopecia thought to be a variant of lichen planopilaris (LPP). We present a 67-year-old woman with frontal fibrosing alopecia whose daughter was diagnosed to have lichen planopilaris. Both patients had identical human leukocyte antigen (HLA) D types, supporting a phenotypical relationship between the two clinical entities. Interestingly, our patient also had of autoimmune chronic atrophic gastritis, a previously unreported association.
Subject(s)
Alopecia/diagnosis , Alopecia/genetics , HLA-D Antigens/genetics , Lichen Planus/diagnosis , Lichen Planus/genetics , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Mothers , Nuclear Family , Scalp Dermatoses/diagnosis , Scalp Dermatoses/geneticsABSTRACT
Although Trichophyton raubitschekii was first described by Kane et al. as a distinct species of dermatophyte, it is now classified as a variety of T. rubrum. The variety raubitschekii differs from the other varieties of T. rubrum in morphology, physiology, epidemiology and patterns of infection, but they are indistinguishable using molecular methods. T. rubrum var. raubitschekii is mostly found in Africa, Asia and South America. We present two cases of imported mycosis in two Nigerian men due to T. rubrum var. raubitschekii. The patients have Tinea cruris lesions on the buttocks. These are the first reported cases of this dermatophytosis in Spain.
Subject(s)
Tinea/microbiology , Trichophyton/isolation & purification , Adult , Buttocks , Emigrants and Immigrants , Groin , Humans , Male , Nigeria/ethnology , Spain/epidemiology , Species Specificity , Tinea/epidemiology , Trichophyton/classificationSubject(s)
Alternaria/isolation & purification , Dermatomycoses/diagnosis , Alternaria/ultrastructure , Dermatomycoses/microbiology , Dermatomycoses/pathology , Dermis/microbiology , Dermis/pathology , Humans , Hyperplasia , Opportunistic Infections/diagnosis , Opportunistic Infections/microbiology , Opportunistic Infections/pathologyABSTRACT
Trichophyton raubitschekii fue inicialmente descrito por Kane et al. como unaespecie distinta de dermatofito, pero en la actualidad se considera unavariedad de Trichophyton rubrum. La variedad raubitschekii difiere de las otrasvariedades de T. rubrum en la morfología, fisiología, epidemiología y patronesde infección, pero es indistinguible en los análisis genéticos. Se encuentrafundamentalmente en África, Asia y Sudamérica. Presentamos dos casos demicosis importada en dos pacientes nigerianos, por T. rubrum var.raubitschekii. Ambos pacientes presentaban lesiones de tinea crurislocalizadas en los glúteos. Se trata de los primeros casos descritos en laliteratura de esta dermatofitosis en España(AU)
Although Trichophyton raubitschekii was first described by Kane et al. as adistinct species of dermatophyte, it is now classified as a variety of T. rubrum.The variety raubitschekii differs from the other varieties of T. rubrum inmorphology, physiology, epidemiology and patterns of infection, but they areindistinguishable using molecular methods. T. rubrum var. raubitschekii ismostly found in Africa, Asia and South America. We present two cases ofimported mycosis in two Nigerian men due to T. rubrum var. raubitschekii.The patients have Tinea cruris lesions on the buttocks. These are the firstreported cases of this dermatophytosis in Spain(AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Adult , Trichophyton/isolation & purification , Tinea/microbiology , Dermatomycoses/microbiology , Trichophyton/pathogenicityABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The frequency of low-turnover bone disease (LTBD) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has increased in past years. This change is important because LTBD is associated with bone pain, growth delay, and higher risk for bone fractures and extraosseous calcifications. LTBD is a histological diagnosis. However, serum markers such as parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcium levels offer a noninvasive alternative for diagnosing these patients. OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence of LTBD in pediatric patients with renal failure undergoing some form of renal replacement therapy, using serum calcium and intact PTH levels as serum markers. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 41 children with CKD undergoing dialysis treatment (31 on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis and 10 on hemodialysis) were included. There were no inclusion restrictions with respect to gender, cause of CKD, or dialysis modality. The children were studied as outpatients. The demographic data, CKD course, time on dialysis, phosphate-binding agents, and calcitriol prescription were registered, as well as weight, height, Z-score for height, linear growth rate, and Z-score for body mass index. Serum calcium, phosphorus, aluminum, PTH, alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, glucose, creatinine, urea, cholesterol, and triglycerides were measured. RESULTS: There were 20 (48.8%) children with both PTH < 150 pg/mL and corrected total calcium >10 mg/dL who were classified as having LTBD[(+)]; the remaining 21 (51.2%) children were classified as having no LTBD[(-)]. The LTBD(+) patients were younger (11.2 +/- 2.7 vs 13.2 +/- 2.4 years, p < 0.01) but they had no differences regarding Z-scores for height. Linear growth in 6 months was less than expected in both groups (-0.15 +/- 0.23 cm/month), but the difference between expected and observed growth was higher in the LTBD(+) group (-0.24 +/- 0.14 vs -0.07 +/- 0.28 cm/mo, p < 0.03). LTBD(+) patients also had lower serum creatinine (8.69 +/- 2.75 vs 11.19 +/- 3.17 mg/dL, p < 0.01), higher serum aluminum levels [median (range) 38.4 (9 - 106) vs 28.1 (9 - 62) microLg/L, p < 0.05], and lower systolic blood pressure (112.0 +/- 10.3 vs 125.0 +/-1 2.9 mmHg, p < 0.015) and diastolic blood pressure (76.0 +/- 9.7 vs 84.5 +/- 8.2 mmHg, p < 0.017). A significant correlation was found between PTH and alkaline phosphatase (r = 0.68, p < 0.001), but not between PTH and aluminum. CONCLUSION: The LTBD(+) biochemical profile was found in 48.8% of the children and was associated with impaired linear growth. Aluminum contamination, evidenced by higher serum aluminum levels, may have had a pathogenic role in these disorders. Higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels may be related to higher serum PTH levels.
Subject(s)
Calcium/blood , Chronic Kidney Disease-Mineral and Bone Disorder/blood , Kidney Failure, Chronic/therapy , Parathyroid Hormone/blood , Renal Dialysis , Adolescent , Biomarkers/blood , Child , Child, Preschool , Chronic Kidney Disease-Mineral and Bone Disorder/epidemiology , Chronic Kidney Disease-Mineral and Bone Disorder/etiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Disease Progression , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Incidence , Kidney Failure, Chronic/complications , Male , Mexico/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Se realizó un estudio con el fin de comprobar la importancia del papel del médico de la familia en la enseñanza y control del autoexamen para el dignóstico precoz del cáncer de mama. Se efectuaron 3 encuestas para comprobar el conocimiento y la práctica del autoexamen al inicio de la aplicación del plan del médico de la familia después de un año de su influencia no programada y después de un año de su influencia no programada y después del trabajo sistemático de enseñanza y control. El conocimiento del autoexamen se incrementó del 41,3 al 99,4
y su práctica desde el 16,69 al 90,16
, este aumento se produjo fundamentalmente después del trabajo sistemático. La calidad al realizar el autoexamen mejoró ostensiblemente, al igual que el conocimiento sobre algunos factores de riesgo. La importancia del papel de médico general integral en la enseñanza y control del autoexamen quedó demostrada
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Breast Neoplasms/prevention & control , Physicians, Family , Breast Neoplasms/diagnosis , CubaABSTRACT
Se realizó un estudio con el fin de comprobar la importancia del papel del médico de la familia en la enseñanza y control del autoexamen para el dignóstico precoz del cáncer de mama. Se efectuaron 3 encuestas para comprobar el conocimiento y la práctica del autoexamen al inicio de la aplicación del plan del médico de la familia después de un año de su influencia no programada y después de un año de su influencia no programada y después del trabajo sistemático de enseñanza y control. El conocimiento del autoexamen se incrementó del 41,3 al 99,4% y su práctica desde el 16,69 al 90,16%, este aumento se produjo fundamentalmente después del trabajo sistemático. La calidad al realizar el autoexamen mejoró ostensiblemente, al igual que el conocimiento sobre algunos factores de riesgo. La importancia del papel de médico general integral en la enseñanza y control del autoexamen quedó demostrada
