hiPSC-derived neural stem cells from patients with schizophrenia induce an impaired angiogenesis.

Schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disease characterized by cerebral connectivity impairment and loss of gray matter. It was described in adult schizophrenia patients (SZP) that concentration of VEGFA, a master angiogenic factor, is decreased. Recent evidence suggests cerebral hypoperfusion related to a dysfunctional Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) in SZP. Since neurogenesis and blood-vessel formation occur in a coincident and coordinated fashion, a defect in neurovascular development could result in increased vascular permeability and, therefore, in poor functionality of the SZP's neurons. Here, we characterized the conditioned media (CM) of human induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (hiPSC)-derived Neural Stem Cells of SZP (SZP NSC) versus healthy subjects (Ctrl NSC), and its impact on angiogenesis. Our results reveal that SZP NSC have an imbalance in the secretion and expression of several angiogenic factors, among them non-canonical neuro-angiogenic guidance factors. SZP NSC migrated less and their CM was less effective in inducing migration and angiogenesis both in vitro and in vivo. Since SZP originates during embryonic brain development, our findings suggest a defective crosstalk between NSC and endothelial cells (EC) during the formation of the neuro-angiogenic niche.

Downregulation of the Sonic Hedgehog/Gli pathway transcriptional target Neogenin-1 is associated with basal cell carcinoma aggressiveness.

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is one of the most diagnosed cancers worldwide. It develops due to an unrestrained Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) signaling activity in basal cells of the skin. Certain subtypes of BCC are more aggressive than others, although the molecular basis of this phenomenon remains unknown. We have previously reported that Neogenin-1 (NEO1) is a downstream target gene of the SHH/GLI pathway in neural tissue. Given that SHH participates in epidermal homeostasis, here we analyzed the epidermal expression of NEO1 in order to identify whether it plays a role in adult epidermis or BCC. We describe the mRNA and protein expression profile of NEO1 and its ligands (Netrin-1 and RGMA) in human and mouse control epidermis and in a broad range of human BCCs. We identify in human BCC a significant positive correlation in the levels of NEO1 receptor, NTN-1 and RGMA ligands with respect to GLI1, the main target gene of the canonical SHH pathway. Moreover, we show via cyclopamine inhibition of the SHH/GLI pathway of ex vivo cultures that NEO1 likely functions as a downstream target of SHH/GLI signaling in the skin. We also show how Neo1 expression decreases throughout BCC progression in the K14-Cre:Ptch1lox/lox mouse model and that aggressive subtypes of human BCC exhibit lower levels of NEO1 than non-aggressive BCC samples. Taken together, these data suggest that NEO1 is a SHH/GLI target in epidermis. We propose that NEO1 may be important in tumor onset and is then down-regulated in advanced BCC or aggressive subtypes.

Two-Dimensional and Three-Dimensional Ultrasound of Artificial Skin.

Wound healing may be a difficult problem, and variable types of artificial skin prototypes have been developed for supporting this process. Using ultrasound, we studied 4 cellulose-derived artificial skin prototypes and assessed their two-dimensional and three-dimensional morphology. These prototypes were identified on ultrasound both on in vitro and in vivo studies. They allowed the sonographic observation of deeper layers on different types of surfaces of the body with good definition on the in vivo examinations performed on healthy skin and cutaneous ulcers. The ultrasound detection of these artificial biomaterials may potentially support the noninvasive monitoring of wound healing.

In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy of halo nevus.

BACKGROUND: RCM (reflectance confocal microscopy) is a noninvasive, high-resolution technology that has been proven to improve the diagnostic accuracy over clinical examination in several skin diseases. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to describe the morphologic features of halo nevi (HN) observed with RCM and correlate them with their dermoscopic characteristics. METHOD: Nine patients with the clinical diagnosis of HN were assessed with RCM. A second assessment was performed up to 12 months later. Dermoscopic global patterns were obtained and correlated with the RCM findings. RESULTS: In five (55.6%) cases, pagetoid cells were observed. Nonedged dermal papilla and junctional thickening were found in three (33%) cases. Nucleated cells in the dermal papillae and plump bright cells were observed in seven (77.8%) and six (66.7%) cases, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that HN observed by RCM can show atypical features that overlap with those observed on atypical melanocytic lesions and malignant melanoma.

Detección de virus linfotrópico de células T humano-I/II en pacientes con enfermedades de transmisión sexual de Santiago / Human T-lymphotropic virus I/II detection in Chilean patients from Sexually Transmitted Diseases clinics

Background: The human T-lymphotropic virus I (HTLV-I) causes spastic para-paresis and adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma. It can be sexually transmitted and is highly prevalent in Central and South America. Aim: To study HTLV-I/IIprevalence in serum samples obtained from two Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) clinics. Material and Methods: Two hundred serum samples were randomly chosen from two reference STD centers of Santiago. The presence of specific HTLV I/II antibodies was detected by indirect immunofluorescence. Results: The analyzed samples came from participants aged 14 to 70 years. Forty nine percent were women and 76% were heterosexual. Only one of the 200 samples was positive (0.5%) and it came from a 70 year-old woman, housewife, with a stable single partner, a history of recurrent genital ulcers, VDRL (-) and positive serology for herpes simplex virus. Conclusions: The prevalence of HTLV-I found in this group is similar to that demonstrated in other populations in Chile, except for aboriginal populations, and similar to international STD studies. Our data is consistent with the low transmissibility by sexual contact.

[Human T-lymphotropic virus I/II detection in Chilean patients from Sexually Transmitted Diseases clinics]. / Detección de virus linfotrópico de células T humano-I/II en pacientes con enfermedades de transmisión sexual de Santiago.

BACKGROUND: The human T-lymphotropic virus I (HTLV-I) causes spastic para-paresis and adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma. It can be sexually transmitted and is highly prevalent in Central and South America. AIM: To study HTLV-I/IIprevalence in serum samples obtained from two Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) clinics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two hundred serum samples were randomly chosen from two reference STD centers of Santiago. The presence of specific HTLV I/II antibodies was detected by indirect immunofluorescence. RESULTS: The analyzed samples came from participants aged 14 to 70 years. Forty nine percent were women and 76% were heterosexual. Only one of the 200 samples was positive (0.5%) and it came from a 70 year-old woman, housewife, with a stable single partner, a history of recurrent genital ulcers, VDRL (-) and positive serology for herpes simplex virus. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of HTLV-I found in this group is similar to that demonstrated in other populations in Chile, except for aboriginal populations, and similar to international STD studies. Our data is consistent with the low transmissibility by sexual contact.

[Seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection in two clinics for sexually transmitted diseases in Santiago, Chile]. / Seropervalencia de la infección por virus herpes simplex tipo 2 en pacientes atendidos en centros de referencia de ETS de Santiago.

BACKGROUND: Genital herpes, a sexually transmitted disease caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), is found in 3.8% of all sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in Chile. AIM: To determine the seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and to identify an association between HSV-2 and HIV-1, other STD, and to study its demographic characteristics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study at two STD public clinics in Santiago was conducted among 200 consecutive patients. Samples were tested for HSV-2, HIV-1, syphilis and hepatitis B virus surface antigen. RESULTS: The seroprevalence for HSV-2 was 43%. Four patients had a history of genital herpes. There was a strong association between HSV-2 infection and HIV-1 positivity (OR=8.7, 95% CI 3.4-22.4, p <0.001) and the condition of being a sexual worker (OR=4.5, 95% CI 1.7-11.9, p <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The high association with HIV-1 and sexual workers, emphasizes the need of having HSV-2 specific diagnostic tests, counseling on sign and symptom recognition and taking preventive measures.

Arbutin: un nuevo depigmentante: estudio terapéutico en pacientes portadoras de melasma / Arbutin: a new depigmentant: therapeutic study in melasma carrier patients

En este trabajo se presentan los resultados de un estudio clínico terapéutico abierto, en el cual se incluyeron 10 pacientes portadoras de melasma que fueron tratadas con un nuevo preparado depigmentante: el producto fue utilizado en dos concentraciones (2 por ciento y 5 por ciento), asociado con ácido glicólico al 10 por ciento, por un período de 60 días. La respuesta fue muy buena y no se observaron efectos secundarios