Derecho a la vida y libertad de conciencia: ¿conflicto real o aparente? / Right to life and free will: real or apparent conflict?

Se analizan dos conceptos principales: derecho a la vida y libertad de conciencia, demostrando a traves de definiciones de variados autores, la relación ética que se produce entre ambos. La vida humana no puede ser tomada como un objeto medible, cuantificable, valorable. El derecho a la vida es parte de los Derechos Humanos, en donde no pueden existir valores y circunstancias que se antepongan justificadamente a la vida; el hombre no puede condicionarse a la voluntad de otro hombre aunque esta se haga pasar por conciencia. La libertad implica una responsabilidad, entendida como respeto a otros, por tanto, necesita una norma, un criterio en virtud del cual el ejercicio de la libertad puede juzgarse como bueno o malo. Este criterio puede ser sólo la verdad sobre el hombre, el objeto de la libertad de conciencia aparece como el significado de la vida humana. Si se niega esta relación, la verdad se vuelve insignificante al no decidir nada verdaderamente importante

Indeterminate cell histiocytosis: a rare histiocytic disorder.

A 64-year-old woman, otherwise healthy, presented with multiple reddish-brown, slightly yellowish papules on the face and neck, which had developed 3 years earlier. The lesions were painless and nonpruritic and varied in diameter from 1 to 5 mm. Histological and immunohistochemical examination of cutaneous biopsies revealed a diffuse dermal infiltrate composed mainly of histiocytes which expressed both Langerhans cell as well as monocytic/macrophages cell marker characteristics. Electron microscopic studies revealed no Birbeck granules within the cytoplasm of the neoplastic cells, leading to a diagnosis of indeterminate cell histiocytosis. Indeterminate cell histiocytosis is a very rare disease characterized by the proliferation of indeterminate histiocytes which morphologically and immunophenotypically resemble Langerhans cells but lack Birbeck granules.

Keratoderma hereditarium mutilans (Vohwinkel's syndrome) associated with congenital deaf-mutism.

Keratoderma hereditarium mutilans, or Vohwinkel's syndrome, is a rare cutaneous disorder which is characterized by thickening of the palms, soles and dorsa of the hands and feet, and by ainhum-like constrictions of the fingers. We report a clinically typical case of Vohwinkel's syndrome in a 28-year-old, deaf-mute, woman. The patient presented with keratotic palms and soles which had a 'honeycomb' appearance, starfish-like keratoses on the dorsa of the hands, and pseudoainhum of the digits. Osteoporotic changes were present distal to the constricting bands. Successful treatment with retinoids has been reported recently, and the hyperkeratosis and constricting bands in our patient improved on therapy with etretinate.

Use of recombinant interferon alfa-2b in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Several neoplasms including cutaneous T-cell lymphomas, malignant melanoma and Kaposi's sarcoma have been successfully treated with systemic or intralesional interferons (IFNs). Recently, intralesional alpha-IFN has also been employed in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma (BCC). OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of IFN alfa-2b in the treatment of BCC. METHODS: 140 patients with BCC were treated with intra- und perilesional injections of recombinant IFN alfa-2b at a dosage of 1.5-3 x 10(6) IU, three times a week for 4-8 weeks. RESULTS: Complete response was achieved in 94 patients (67.1%), partial response in 33 patients (23.6%) and no response in 13 patients (9.3%). Side effects included fever, headache, fatigue and nausea but were reversible with the use of paracetamol. None of the patients discontinued therapy due to side effects. After a mean follow-up period of 36 months (12-54 months) no relapse has been observed. CONCLUSION: Based on our results, intra- and perilesional IFN alfa-2b represents an effective, alternative treatment for BCC.

[Immunophenotype of lymphocytic infiltrate in mycosis fungoides at the plaque stage and at the tumor stage. A comparative study]. / Immunofenotipo dell'infiltrato linfocitario nella micosi fungoide in stadio a placca ed in stadio tumorale. Studio comparativo.

An immunohistochemical study of 18 cases of mycosis fungoides (8 cases in tumor stage, 10 in plaque stage) is reported. Seven immunohistochemical parameters were set to evaluate the immunophenotype of the lymphocytes int he two stages of the disease. The results showed loss of differentiation and marked activation of the neoplastic lymphocytes with the progression of the disease from plaque to tumor stage.

[The use of a new antibiotic for local administration in burns]. / Osservazioni sull'impiego di un nuovo antibiotico per uso locale nelle ustioni.

A new antibiotic already available on the market (meclocyclin) was experimented on 27 patients aged 45 days to 66 yr with burns due to various causes. Tolerance was excellent in all cases and the average hospital stay was 16 days. Two ointments (one containing meclocyclin, the other containing a different bacteriostatic) were applied on symmetrical sites. The results were practically the same. The meclocyclin ointment can be regarded as preferable, however, owing to its excellent tolerance, and non-absorption into the circulation, so that sensitisation cannot occur even during protracted administration. Another ointment, containing meclocyclin and fluochinolone, was also used in the presence of hypertrophic or keloid pathological scars. Useful results were obtained with regard to both the extent of the damaged areas and the functional limitations sometimes observed. Treatment in these cases, however, was sometimes prolonged for months.