A systematic review of worldwide data on tinea capitis: analysis of the last 20 years.

Dermatophyte infections are the most common fungal infections in humans; among them, tinea capitis (TC) - the most contagious fungal infection - is caused by anthropophilic, zoophilic and geophilic dermatophytes. The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the different aetiological variants involved in TC and the overall epidemiology of the causes of this infection in the last two decades. We searched the MEDLINE (PubMed) and Embase databases for articles published from July 2000 to August 2019 using the following search terms: 'Tinea capitis', 'Africa', 'America', 'Asia', 'Europe', 'Oceania', and the names of the countries on each continent. The flow of information through the different phases in this systematic review was depicted using a PRISMA flow diagram, which mapped the number of records identified, included and excluded, and the reasons for exclusion. Our findings indicate that the frequency of different aetiologic agents of TC in the reported studies varied globally, from 0.4-87.7% in Africa, 0.2-74.0% in North America, 0.0-91.2% in Eastern Asia, 0.0-69.0% in Eastern Europe and 2.9-86.4% in Oceania. Microsporum canis is the most frequent reported zoophilic agent worldwide, while Trichophyton violaceum and Trichophyton tonsurans are the predominant anthropophilic agents. Over time, the frequency of these latter fungal infections has increased globally, and these fungi have become the major species globally. Anthropophilic transmission - the most prevalent type of transmission - could be explained by two factors: (i) the socioeconomic status of affected countries and population groups with associated risk factors and (ii) movement of populations importing new causes of infection to areas where they had not been encountered previously. We observed that intercontinental migration and travel; globalization; environmental, climatic and ecological changes; and accelerated evolution of health technologies may influence the observed epidemiological changes and, consequently, contributed to the variations in the global status of TC.

Comparing the effects of endogenous and synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists on survival of gastric cancer cells.

AIMS: Anti-neoplastic activity induced by cannabinoids has been extensively documented for a number of cancer cell types; however, this topic has been explored in gastric cancer cells only in a limited number of approaches. Thus, the need of integrative and comparative studies still persists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study we tested and compared the effects of three different cannabinoid receptor agonists-anandamide (AEA), (R)-(+)-methanandamide (Meth-AEA) and CP 55,940 (CP)- on gastric cancer cell morphology, viability and death events in order to provide new insights to the use of these agents for therapeutic purposes. KEY FINDINGS: The three agents tested exhibited similar concentration-dependent effects in the induction of changes in cell morphology and cell loss, as well as in the decrease of cell viability and DNA laddering in the human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line (AGS). Differences among the cannabinoids tested were mostly observed in the density of cells found in early and late apoptosis and necrosis, favoring AEA and CP as the more effective inducers of apoptotic mechanisms, and Meth-AEA as a more effective inducer of necrosis through transient and rapid apoptosis. SIGNIFICANCE: Through a comparative approach, our results support and confirm the therapeutic potential that cannabinoid receptor agonists exert in gastric cancer cells and open possibilities to use cannabinoids as part of a new gastric cancer therapy.

[Treatment and reconstruction of bone tumors of the with a RIMAG unconventional prosthesis]. / Tratamiento y reconstrucción en tumores óseos del húmero con prótesis no convencional tipo RIMAG.

INTRODUCTION: Conservative surgery and reconstruction with an unconventional prosthesis are indicated for tumors of the humerus without neurovascular compromise, as they help preserve shoulder, elbow and hand function. The humerus is the third most frequent site of benign, aggressive, malignant and metastatic tumors that cause functional limitation or limb loss. MATERIAL: Patients with a bone tumor of the humerus without neurovascular involvement that met the inclusion criteria. Unconventional, uncemented RIMAG prosthesis with diaphyseal fit and locking bolts. METHODS: 39 patients with intraarticular type I tumors according to the Malawer and Enneking classification were treated with tumor resection and reconstruction with an unconventional prosthesis and soft tissues. RESULTS: Patients enrolled included 18 females and 21 males ages 12-72 years with tumors such as: giant cell tumors (14), osteosarcomas (7), metastasis (7), chondrosarcomas (6), Ewing's sarcomas (2), chondroblastoma (2) and aneurysmatic bone cyst (1). Twelve patients died due to systemic disease and the remaining patients survived. Surgical margins were broad, with humeral resection between 100 and 230 mm. Functional results were assessed according to the Muscoloskeletal Tumor Society score as 13 excellent, 16 good, 5 failures and 5 poor. DISCUSSION: The resection level does not restrict the placement of this prosthesis, which permits future revisions. An appropriate result depends on the resection size and the preserved shoulder musculature and it is not limited by the size of resection, thus improving patients' disability.

Effect of omega-3 dietary supplements with different oxidation levels in the lipidic profile of women: a randomized controlled trial.

The oxidation level of omega-3 fatty acid supplements commercialized in capsules may be a risk to consumers' health. For this purpose, we have designed a single-blind, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial in which 52 women participated. Volunteers were randomly distributed into three groups consuming: (1) less oxidized oil pills, (2) highly oxidized oil pills and (3) no capsules. All groups consumed a fish-rich diet. Circulating glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides and glutamic pyruvic transaminase were determined at the beginning and end (30 days) of the study. As a result, the ingestion of less oxidized ω-3 supplements reduced circulating triglyceride and cholesterol levels, as opposed to the highly oxidized omega-3 capsules, which had a negative effect on cholesterol levels. In conclusion, the level of oxidation of the supplements is a key factor in controlling circulating lipid profile. Therefore, manufacturers must pay attention to the quality of the prime product prior to encapsulation.

Effect of thiamine pyrophosphate on levels of serum lactate, maximum oxygen consumption and heart rate in athletes performing aerobic activity.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) on serum lactate levels, maximum oxygen consumption (Vo(2max)) and heart rate in male athletes performing aerobic activity. A double-blind, randomized, crossover study was performed in which lactate levels, Vo(2max) and heart rates in 27 male athletes were compared at rest and after exercise, following administration of placebo (sodium chloride 0.9%) or TPP (1 mg/kg). At rest, serum lactate levels after placebo or TPP were similar; however, after exercise, the levels were lower in the athletes after taking TPP than after placebo. During exercise, Vo(2max) in athletes on TPP was higher than on placebo. At rest, heart rate after taking placebo or TPP was similar but, after exercise, heart rate was lower after taking TPP than after placebo. It is concluded that TPP caused serum lactate levels and heart rate to be lower than placebo and Vo(2max) to be higher in athletes performing aerobic physical activity.

Selective inhibitors of human lactate dehydrogenases and lactate dehydrogenase from the malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum.

Derivatives of the sesquiterpene 8-deoxyhemigossylic acid (2, 3-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-1-naphthoic acid) were synthesized that contained altered alkyl groups in the 4-position and contained alkyl or aralkyl groups in the 7-position. These substituted dihydroxynaphthoic acids are selective inhibitors of human lactate dehydrogenase-H (LDH-H) and LDH-M and of lactate dehydrogenase from the malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum (pLDH). All inhibitors are competitive with the binding of NADH. Selectivity for LDH-H, LDH-M, or pLDH is strongly dependent upon the groups that are in the 4- and 7-positions of the dihydroxynaphthoic acid backbone. Dissociation constants as low as 50 nM were observed, with selectivity as high as 400-fold.

[Changes in molecular forms of sex hormone binding globulin during menstrual cycle and menopause]. / Variaciones de las formas moleculares de la globulina transportadora de hormonas sexuales (SHBG) durante el ciclo menstrual y la menopausia.

Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) is a glycoprotein that transports mainly androgens and estrogens regulating the amount of free and bound hormone which in turn plays a role in the metabolic balance. It is also known that estrogens increase the hepatic production of SHBG which circulates in various molecular forms containing different amounts of sialic acid as the main component of carbohydrates. In the present work we studied physiological variations of molecular forms of SHBG during the normal menstrual cycle and the menopause. During the follicular phase the form 54 KD was the predominant variant, in the periovulatory period was isomers 90 KD, and during the luteal phase corresponded to both 54 and 90 KD. In the menopause dimeric form of 90 KD corresponded to the major proportion and was present a higher molecular forms of 115-135 KD. Following estrogen therapy the chromatographic profile changed as to that observed during the menstrual cycle. Important changes in the proportion of sialic acid were observed in each of the phases of menstrual cycle and following estrogen replacement. And increase in the amount of sialic acid corresponded to higher estrogen concentrations. It is concluded that SHBG concentrations varies during the menstrual cycle according the estrogen levels which in addition regulates the proportion of molecular forms and sialic acid containt.

[Human Papilloma virus. Epidemiologic, carcinogenic, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects]. / Virus del papiloma humano. Aspectos epidemiológicos, carcinogenéticos, diagnósticos y terapéuticos.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common infection among women. Natural History of HPV infection has changed as well as diagnosis and treatment. Clinical picture is variable even with spontaneous remission. Molecular Biology for diagnosis and typification of HPV has changed its treatment. The disease can be treated according to clinical experience. Sometimes can not eradicated since just it is impossible make to disappear it from genital tract.

[Pituitary gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) and breast cancer]. / Análogos de la hormona hipotalámica liberadora de gonadotropinas (GnRH) y cáncer mamario.

Peptide and steroidal hormones, growth promoting factors and other trophic factors are all involved in the regulation of tumoral growth. Hormonal therapy of breast cancer includes a medical treatment and surgical as well, such as oophorectomy and hypophysectomy. The hormone-dependent cancer like breast cancer, is treated with anti-estrogenic substances, but with the arrival of analogues of gonadotropins releasing (a-GnRH) hormone; these neuropeptides may have an important role in the treatment of breast cancer, due to the few side effects.

[Hellp syndrome. Presentation of a case and review of the literature]. / Síndrome Hellp. Presentación de un caso y revisión de la literatura.

A severe case of preeclampsia with Hellp Syndrome is reported. Clinical findings, laboratory abnormalities and pathogenesis, were discussed. We concluded that severe preeclampsia and Hellp Syndrome are not different diseases, but the natural course of preeclampsia per se.