Neuroimmune Mediators of Pruritus in Hispanic Scalp Psoriatic Itch.

Scalp psoriatic itch is a common, bothersome, yet understudied, condition with numerous associated treatment challenges. The aim of this study was to enhance our understanding of the pathophysiology of scalp psoriatic itch. Immunohistochemical analysis of known neuroimmune mediators of pruritus was conducted using scalp biopsies from 27 Hispanic psoriatic patients. Patients were categorized into mild/moderate or severe itch groups according to their itch intensity rating of scalp itch. Protease activated receptor (PAR2), substance P, transient receptor potential (TRP)V3, TRPM8 and interleukin-23 expression all correlated  significantly with itch intensity. The pathophysiology of scalp psoriasis is largely non-histaminergic, mediated by PAR2, interleukin-23, transient receptor potential channels, and substance P.

Amyloid-ß (25-35) induces the morphological alteration of dendritic spines and decreases NR2B and PSD-95 expression in the hippocampus.

Research on the memory impairment caused by the Amyloid-ß 25-35 (Aß25-35) peptide in animal models has provided an understanding of the causes that occurs in Alzheimer's disease. However, it is uncertain whether this cognitive impairment occurs due to disruption of information encoding and consolidation or impaired retrieval of stored memory. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the Aß25-35 peptide on the morphology of dendritic spines and the changes in the expression of NR2B and PSD-95 in the hippocampus associated with learning and memory deficit. Vehicle or Aß25-35 peptide (0.1 µg/µL) was bilaterally administered into the CA1 subfield of the rat hippocampus, then tested for spatial learning and memory in the Morris Water Maze. On Day 39, the morphological changes in the CA1 of the hippocampus and dentate gyrus were examined via Golgi-Cox stain. It was observed that the Aß25-35 peptide administered in the CA1 region of the rat hippocampus induced changes to the morphology of dendritic spines and the expression of the NR2B subunit of the NMDA receptor co-localized with both the spatial memory and PSD-95 protein in the hippocampus of learning rats. We conclude that, in soluble form, the Aß25-35 peptide perturbs synaptic plasticity, specifically in the formation of new synapses, thus promoting the progression of memory impairment.

The therapeutic potential of galectin-1 and galectin-3 in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Introduction: Neuroinflammation has been proposed as a common factor and one of the main inducers of neuronal degeneration. Galectins are a group of ß-galactoside-binding lectins, that play an important role in the immune response, adhesion, proliferation, differentiation, migration and cell growth. Up to 15 members of the galectin's family have been identified; however, the expression of galectin-1 and galectin-3 has been considered a key factor in neuronal regeneration and modulation of the inflammatory response. Galectin-1 is necessary to stimulate the secretion of neurotrophic factors in astrocytes and promoting neuronal regeneration. In contrast, galectin-3 fosters the proliferation of microglial cells and modulates cellular apoptosis, therefore these proteins are considered a useful alternative for the treatment of degenerative diseases.Areas covered: This review describes the roles of galectin-1 and galectin-3 in the modulation of neuroinflammation and their potential as therapeutic targets in the treatment for neurodegenerative diseases.Expert opinion: Although data in the literature vary, the effects of galectin-1 and galectin-3 on the activation and modulation of astrocytes and microglia has been described. Due to its anti-inflammatory effects, galectin-1 is proposed as a molecule with therapeutic potential, whereas the inhibition of galectin-3 could contribute to reduce the neuroinflammatory response in neurodegenerative diseases.

Neuroinflammation induced by the peptide amyloid-ß (25-35) increase the presence of galectin-3 in astrocytes and microglia and impairs spatial memory.

Galectins are animal lectins that bind to ß-galactosides, such as lactose and N-acetyllactosamine, contained in glycoproteins or glycolipids. Galectin-1 (Gal-1) and Galectin-3 (Gal-3) are involved in pathologies associated with the inflammatory process, cell proliferation, adhesion, migration, and apoptosis. Recent evidence has shown that the administration of Amyloid-ß 25-35 (Aß25-35) into the hippocampus of rats increases the inflammatory response that is associated with memory impairment and neurodegeneration. Galectins could participate in the modulation of the neuroinflammation induced by the Aß25-35. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of Gal-1 and Gal-3 in the neuroinflammation induced by administration of Aß25-35 into the hippocampus and to examine spatial memory in the Morris water maze. After the administration of Aß25-35, animals were tested for learning and spatial memory in the Morris water maze. Behavioral performance showed that Aß25-35 didn't affect spatial learning but did impair memory, with animals taking longer to find the platform. On the day 32, hippocampus was examined for astrocytes (GFAP), microglia (Iba1), Gal-1 and Gal-3 via immunohistochemical analysis, and the cytokines IL-1ß, TNF-α, IFN-γ by ELISA. This study's results showed a significant increase in the expression of Gal-3 in the microglia and astrocytes, while Gal-1 didn't increase in the dorsal hippocampus. The expression of galectins is associated with increased cytokines in the hippocampal formation of Aß25-35 treated rats. These findings suggest that Gal-3 could participate in the inflammation induced by administration of Aß25-35 and could be involved in the neurodegeneration progress and memory impairment.

Foliculitis pustulosa eosinofílica asociada a VIH: presentación de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis and HIV: case report and review of the literature

La foliculitis pustulosa eosinofílica (FPE) es una dermatosis de etiología desconocida e infrecuente, caracterizada clínicamente por la presencia de pápulas y pústulas estériles. Se reconocen cuatro variantes clínicas: clásica o enfermedad de Ofuji, la asociada a inmunosupresión, FPE de la infancia, y un otra asociada a varias causas. Desde el punto de vista histopatológico está representada por un infiltrado inflamatorio rico en eosinófilos que involucra la unidad pilosebácea.

Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis (EFP) is a dermatosis of unknown etiology and rarely seen. Clinically characterized by the presence of sterile papules and pustules. Four clinical variant have been described: classic OfujiÆs disease, immunosupression related, childhood related FPE, and idiopathic type. Histologically is characterized by the presence of an inflammatory infiltrate with eosinophils predominance involving the pilosebaceous unit.

Two-dimensional cursor-to-target control from single muscle site sEMG signals.

In this study, human subjects achieve two-dimensional cursor-to-target control using the surface electromyogram (sEMG) from a single muscle site. The X-coordinate and the Y-coordinate of the computer cursor were simultaneously controlled by the active manipulation of power within two frequency bands of the sEMG power-spectrum. Success of the method depends on the sEMG frequency bandwidths and their midpoints. We acquired the sEMG signals at a single facial muscle site of four able-bodied subjects and trained them, by visual feedback, to control the position of the cursor. After training, all four subjects were able to simultaneously control the X and Y positions of the cursor to accurately and consistently hit three widely-separated targets on a computer screen. This technology has potential application in a wide variety of human-machine interfaces to assistive technologies.

A pictorial sleepiness scale based on cartoon faces.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To develop a sleepiness scale devoid of semantic or geometric elements. DESIGN: Subjects were asked to rank in order 7 cartoon faces representing degrees of sleepiness. We used Thurstone's scaling procedure to transform these rankings into an interval scale, which allowed us to eliminate 2 of the faces. The remaining 5 faces were ranked again using other subjects. In a validation study, subjects rated their perceived level of sleepiness using our scale and other sleepiness scales. Employed shiftworkers and school-going children used our scale to assess its practical applicability. SETTINGS: Research and diagnostic sleep laboratories, pre-primary to tertiary institutions, shift-working industry. PARTICIPANTS: Ethnically diverse healthy and sleep-disordered adults (n = 490), and school-going children (n = 345). MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Our faces scale correlated with the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (P < .05), the Stanford Sleepiness Scale (P < .04), and a visual analog scale measuring sleepiness (P < .0001). Shiftworkers showed a time-on-task effect on the evening shift (P < .0001) and a peak in sleepiness at 4:00 and 5:00 (P < .0001) on the night shift. Eight to 10 year old children appeared sleepier than older children throughout a school day (P < or = .02) and became sleepier as the day progressed (P < .0001). We confirmed that our scale measures sleepiness, uncontaminated by pain, anger, or happiness. CONCLUSIONS: We have devised a sleepiness scale suitable for people too young or insufficiently educated to employ more-conventional scales. We envisage the scale being used for diagnostic, therapeutic, and research purposes.

Sleep behavior of South African adolescents.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To survey a large group of South African adolescents about their sleep behavior, daytime behaviors, and morning alertness as compared to those of other teenagers worldwide. DESIGN: Subjects completed a questionnaire about their sleep habits and daytime behaviors on the previous day, and subjective morning alertness at the time of completing the questionnaire. SETTING: Four secondary schools in Johannesburg, South Africa on mid-week mornings. PARTICIPANTS: 825 secondary school students volunteered for this study. INTERVENTIONS: N/A. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: The students, (16+/-1 years), 61% female, reported significantly less time in bed (p<0.001) on a school night (453+/-70 minutes), compared to weekend nights (476+/-128 minutes). On the school night, they reported a mean sleep onset latency of 17 minutes, with 45% of the sample falling asleep in less than ten minutes. Short sleep onset latency and short in-bed wakefulness both were positively related to a high sleep efficiency and subjective sleep quality. On the previous day, 72% of the adolescents had consumed caffeinated beverages and 56% had exercised, but these behaviors did not significantly influence their nighttime sleep. The majority (77%) of students had napped the previous day and 8% had taken medication to fall asleep that night. 40% of the students felt that they could fall asleep mid-morning, if given the chance, but their sleepiness was independent of their nighttime sleep quality or duration. CONCLUSIONS: Similarly to teenagers around the world, South African adolescents get insufficient sleep during the week, which they attempt to compensate for on the weekends. A large proportion of the students are also sleepy during the school day, which may influence their academic performance.