Relationship between vitamin B12 levels and insulin resistance in postmenopausal women from Colombia Caribbean / Relação entre níveis de vitamina B12 e resistência à insulina em mulheres na pós-menopausa da Colômbia Caribe

Introduction: The high prevalence of low vitamin B12 serum levels has been recognized as a public health problem in Latin America; however, the current magnitude of this deficiency in Colombia is uncertain. Low levels of vitamin B12 can induce clinical and subclinical hematological and neurological disorders. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated a relationship between vitamin B12 deficiency and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). However, the role of vitamin B12 in insulin resistance has been poorly studied. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between vitamin B12 serum levels and biochemical and anthropometric markers related to CVDs and insulin resistance in postmenopausal women from Colombia Caribbean. Methods: Correlational, descriptive study. By convenience sampling, 182 postmenopausal women from the medical consultation service of a health institution were linked. Serum vitamin B12 levels, anthropometric variables (body mass index, abdominal perimeter), and biochemical variables (glycemia, insulin, lipid profile, HOMA IR) were evaluated. Results: The average value of the vitamin B12 serum level was 312.5 ± 122.5 pg/mL (230.6 ± 90.4 pmol/L); 46.7% of the women had less than adequate levels of 300 pg/mL (> 221 pmol/L), and 9. 9% were deficient, with levels of less than 200 pg/mL (148 pmol/L). The women with metabolic syndrome were 63.7%, and according to HOMA IR, 52.7 % had insulin resistance. A significant inverse relationship was shown between serum vitamin B12 levels with basal glycemic (P =0.002) and HOMA-IR (P =0.040). Conclusions: A significant inverse relationship between vitamin B12 levels and basal glycemia and HOMA-IR was observed. These findings highlight vitamin B12 deficiency in postmenopausal women and suggest nutritional supplementation.Keywords: Vitamin B12, Insulin resistance, Diet, Postmenopause, Cardiovascular diseases (AU).

Introdução: A alta prevalência de baixos níveis séricos de vitamina B12 foi reconhecida como um problema de saúde pública na América Latina, mas a magnitude atual dessa deficiência na Colômbia é incerta. Baixos níveis de vitamina B12 podem induzir distúrbios hematológicos e neurológicos clínicos e subclínicos. Na verdade, estudos epidemiológicos demonstram uma relação entre deficiência de vitamina B12 e doenças cardiovasculares (DCVs). No entanto, o papel da vitamina B12 na resistência à insulina tem sido pouco estudado. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a relação entre os níveis séricos de vitamina B12 e marcadores bioquímicos e antropométricos relacionados com doenças cardiovasculares e resistência à insulina em mulheres pós-menopáusicas da Colômbia Caribe. Métodos: Estudo correlacional, descritivo. Por amostragem de conveniência, foram vinculadas 182 mulheres na pós-menopausa do serviço de consulta médica de uma instituição de saúde. Níveis séricos de vitamina B12, variáveis antropométricas (índice de massa corporal, perímetro abdominal) e variáveis bioquímicas (glicemia, insulina, perfil lipídico, HOMA IR) foram avaliadas. Resultados: O valor médio do nível sérico de vitamina B12 foi de 312,5 ± 122,5 pg/mL (230,6 ± 90,4 pmol/L); 46,7% das mulheres tinham níveis abaixo do adequado de 300 pg/mL (> 221 pmol/L), e 9,9% eram deficientes, com níveis abaixo de 200 pg/mL (148 pmol/L).As mulheres com síndrome metabólica foram 63,7% e, segundo o HOMA IR, 52,7% apresentavam resistência à insulina. Uma relação inversa significativa entre os níveis séricos de vitamina B12 com glicemia basal (P = 0,002) e HOMA-IR (P = 0,040) foi mostrada. Conclusões: Foi observada uma relação inversa significativa entre os níveis de vitamina B12 e glicemia basal e HOMA-IR. Esses achados destacam a deficiência de vitamina B12 em mulheres na pós-menopausa e sugerem suplementação nutricional (AU).

Dispositivos anticaídas en cuidados intensivos pediátricos: descripción de una experiencia exitosa de innovación liderada por enfermería en un hospital de cuidado terciario en Colombia / Anti Falls Device in Pediatric Intensive Care: Description of a Successful Innovative Experience Led by Nursing Personnel in Tertiary Hospital Care in Colombia / Dispositivo antiqueda em terapia intensiva pediátrica: descrição de uma experiência bemsucedida de inovação liderada pela enfermagem em um hospital de cuidado terciário na Colômbia

Introducción. Las caídas son eventos adversos que ponen en riesgo la integridad de quien las sufre. A pesar de la evidencia limitada sobre su efectividad, se han implementado algunos dispositivos de limitación de movimiento restrictivos y no restrictivos para prevenir caídas en niños críticamente enfermos en cuidados intensivos. Este artículo tiene como objetivo describir el diseño de un arnés preventivo y no restrictivo de movimiento para caídas intrahospitalarias en niños denominado "canguro-anticaídas", creado por profesionales de enfermería en una unidad de cuidados intensivos cardiovasculares pediátricos de la Fundación Cardioinfantil ­ Instituto de Cardiología. Tema de reflexión. A través de un enfoque reflexivo se presenta una descripción del dispositivo, los materiales, el método de uso, el personal que lo administra, los criterios de elegibilidad, la implementación del dispositivo, el alcance y la percepción del personal y los familiares respecto a su uso. Conclusiones. La prevención de caídas en población pediátrica hospitalizada en unidades de cuidados intensivos es uno de los pilares de la seguridad del paciente. La construcción de un dispositivo anticaída aplicado a esta población es una estrategia novedosa diseñada por el personal de enfermería para responder a la mejora continua de la calidad de la atención institucional. Palabras clave: Niños; Accidentes por Caídas; Prevención de Accidentes; Profesionales de Enfermería Pediátrica; Restricción Física; Difusión de Innovaciones; Unidades de Cuidado Intensivo Pediátrico

Introduction. Falls are adverse events that risk the integrity of those who suffer from them. Despite the limited evidence of its effectiveness, some restrictive and non-restrictive movement limitation devices have been implemented to prevent falls in critically ill children in intensive care. This article aims to describe the design of a preventive and non-restrictive movement harness for intra-hospital falls in children called "kangaroo- antifall", created by nursing professionals in a pediatric cardiovascular intensive care unit at the Cardioinfantil Foundation-Cardiology Institute. Reflection topics. Through a reflective approach, a description of the device materials, method of use, personnel who administer it, eligibility criteria, implementation of the device, scope, and perception of personnel and family members regarding its use are presented. Conclusions. One pillar of patient safety is fall prevention in pediatric populations hospitalized in intensive care units. The construction of an anti-fall device applied to this population is an innovative strategy designed by nursing staff to answer the continuous quality improvement of institutional care. Keywords: Child; Accidental Falls; Accident Prevention; Pediatric Nurse Practitioners; Restraint, Physical; Diffusion of Innovation; Intensive Care Units, Pediatric

Introdução. As quedas são eventos adversos que colocam em risco a integridade de quem sofre. A pesar das evidências limitadas sobre a sua eficácia, alguns dispositivos restritivos e não restritivos de limitação de movimento foram implementados para prevenir quedas em crianças gravemente doentes em cuidados intensivos. Este manuscrito tem como objetivo descrever o desenho de um arnês preventivo e sem restrição de movimento para quedas intra-hospitalares em crianças denominado "canguru-proteção contra quedas", criado por profissionais de enfermagem de uma unidade de terapia intensiva cardiovascular pediátrica da Fundação Cardioinfantil ­ Instituto de Cardiología. Tema de reflexão. Através de uma abordagem reflexiva, são apresentadas a descrição do dispositivo, materiais, método de uso, pessoal que o administra, critérios de elegibilidade, implementação do dispositivo, abrangência e percepción do pessoal e familiares sobre seu uso. Conclusões. A prevenção de quedas em populações pediátricas internadas em unidades de cuidados intensivos é um dos pilares da segurança do paciente. A construção de um dispositivo anti-queda aplicado a esta população é uma nova estratégia desenhada pela equipe de enfermagem para responder à melhoria contínua na qualidade do atendimento institucional. Palavras-chave: Crianças; Acidentes por Quedas; Prevenção de Acidentes; Profissionais de Enfermagem Pediátrica; Restrição Física; Difusão de Inovações; Unidades de Terapia Intensiva Pediátrica

The effects of systemic immunomodulatory treatments on COVID-19 outcomes in patients with atopic dermatitis: Results from the global SECURE-AD registry.

BACKGROUND: Limited data are available on the effects of systemic immunomodulatory treatments on COVID-19 outcomes in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). OBJECTIVE: To investigate COVID-19 outcomes in patients with AD treated with or without systemic immunomodulatory treatments, using a global registry platform. METHODS: Clinicians were encouraged to report cases of COVID-19 in their patients with AD in the Surveillance Epidemiology of Coronavirus Under Research Exclusion for Atopic Dermatitis (SECURE-AD) registry. Data entered from 1 April 2020 to 31 October 2021 were analysed using multivariable logistic regression. The primary outcome was hospitalization from COVID-19, according to AD treatment groups. RESULTS: 442 AD patients (mean age 35.9 years, 51.8% male) from 27 countries with strongly suspected or confirmed COVID-19 were included in analyses. 428 (96.8%) patients were treated with a single systemic therapy (n = 297 [67.2%]) or topical therapy only (n = 131 [29.6%]). Most patients treated with systemic therapies received dupilumab (n = 216). Fourteen patients (3.2%) received a combination of systemic therapies. Twenty-six patients (5.9%) were hospitalized. No deaths were reported. Patients treated with topical treatments had significantly higher odds of hospitalization, compared with those treated with dupilumab monotherapy (odds ratio (OR) 4.65 [95%CI 1.71-14.78]), including after adjustment for confounding variables (adjusted OR (aOR) 4.99 [95%CI 1.4-20.84]). Combination systemic therapy which did not include systemic corticosteroids was associated with increased odds of hospitalization, compared with single agent non-steroidal immunosuppressive systemic treatment (OR 8.09 [95%CI 0.4-59.96], aOR 37.57 [95%CI 1.05-871.11]). Hospitalization was most likely in patients treated with combination systemic therapy which included systemic corticosteroids (OR 40.43 [95%CI 8.16-207.49], aOR 45.75 [95%CI 4.54-616.22]). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the risk of COVID-19 complications appears low in patients with AD, even when treated with systemic immunomodulatory agents. Dupilumab monotherapy was associated with lower hospitalization than other therapies. Combination systemic treatment, particularly combinations including systemic corticosteroids, was associated with the highest risk of severe COVID-19.

Modelo de práctica de enfermería para fortalecer la capacidad de cuidado de los pacientes y sus cuidadores / Modelo de prática de enfermagem para fortalecer a capacidade de cuidado dos pacientes e seus cuidadores / Nursing practice model to strengthen the capacity of care of patients and their caregivers

En la Fundación Cardioinfantil Instituto de Cardiología (FCI -IC), que es un HospitalUniversitario colombiano de alta complejidad, se identificó que el trabajo en alianza docencia –asistencia para el desarrollo de un modelo de práctica de enfermería podría orientar mejor esteejercicio en sus diferentes roles. Con el objetivo de describir el desarrollo conceptual logrado, elpresente artículo documenta la investigación metodológica en enfermería que incluyó cuatrofases: la revisión de antecedentes institucionales en el empleo de modelos de enfermería; larevisión de literatura mundial sobre los modelos de práctica de enfermería; la construccióncolectiva del modelo de práctica de enfermería; y la validación interna y externa de dicho modelo.El Modelo de práctica de enfermería para fortalecer la capacidad de cuidado de los pacientes ysus cuidadores, FCI – IC, responde a lecciones intra y extrainstitucionales aprendidas; sudesarrollo es coherente con el estado del arte y su contenido refleja tanto el consenso institucionalcomo la derivación teórica lograda a partir de la identificación de los conceptos paradigmáticos ysupuestos de cuidado, ajustados durante la validación. Este modelo ha permitido mayorapropiación y liderazgo de enfermería en la práctica, a la que se espera aportar indicadores quepermitan evaluar los diferentes roles.(AU)

In the Fundación Cardioinfantil Institute of Cardiology (FCI -IC), which is a highcomplexity Colombian University Hospital, it was identified that the work between academicsand clinical nurses for the development of a nursing practice model, could improve nursing in itsdifferent roles. In order to describe the conceptual development achieved, this article documentsthe nursing methodology research that included four phases: the review of institutionalbackgrounds in the use of conceptual models of nursing; the review of world literature on nursingpractice models; and the collective construction of the nursing practice model; and the internaland external validation of the developed model. The Practice Nursing Model to strengthen thecaring capacity of patients and their caregivers FCI - IC responds to lessons learned internallyand externally; its development is consistent with the state of the art and its content reflects boththe institutional consensus and the theoretical derivation achieved from the identification of theparadigmatic concepts and care assumptions, adjusted during the validation. This model hasallowed greater appropriation and nursing leadership in practice. We expect to provide indicatorsto evaluate and improve the different roles of nursing in the near future.(AU)

Na Fundación Cardioinfantil Instituto de Cardiología (FCI -IC), que é um HospitalUniversitário colombiano de alta complexidade, identificou-se que o trabalho em uma aliançadocente-assistencial para o desenvolvimento de um modelo de prática de enfermagem poderiaorientar melhor este exercício em seus diferentes papéis. A fim de descrever o desenvolvimentoconceitual alcançado, este artigo documenta a pesquisa metodológica de enfermagem que incluiuquatro fases: a revisão de fundamentos institucionais no uso de modelos conceituais de enfermagem; a revisão da literatura mundial sobre modelos de prática de enfermagem; e aconstrução coletiva do modelo de enfermagem; e a validação interna e externa do referido modelo.O Modelo de prática de enfermagem para fortalecer a capacidade assistencial do pacientes ecuidadores FCI - CI responde às lições aprendidas interna e externamente; seu desenvolvimentoé consistente com o estado da arte e seu conteúdo reflete tanto o consenso institucional quanto aderivação teórica alcançada a partir da identificação dos conceitos paradigmáticos e pressupostosde cuidado, ajustados durante a validação. Este modelo permitiu maior apropriação e liderança deenfermagem na prática, o que se espera que forneça indicadores para avaliar os diferentes papéis.(AU)

Dupilumab facial redness: Clinical characteristics and proposed treatment in a cohort.

In this case series, we report for the first time in the literature in a cohort, the positive response to oral or topical antifungals for atopic dermatitis patients treated with Dupilumab that developed Dupilumab facial redness, supporting the Malassezia hypersensitivity theory.

Trombectomía más fleboextracción: una técnica alternativa en el manejo de la enfermedad hemorroidal externa trombosada / Thrombectomy combined with vein stripping: An alternative technique to treat thrombosed external hemorrhoid disease

Resumen Objetivo: Evaluar los resultados de la trombectomía más fleboextracción como alternativa en el manejo de la enfermedad hemorroidal externa trombosada. Materiales: Estudio observacional, cuantitativo, retrospectivo, transversal y descriptivo de los pacientes que consultaron y se sometieron a la trombectomía más fleboextracción como técnica alternativa en el manejo de la enfermedad hemorroidal externa trombosada en el servicio de coloproctología del Hospital Militar Central desde el primero de enero de 2014 hasta el 31 de diciembre de 2016. Resultados: Se encontró que 197 pacientes consultaron por hemorroides externas trombosadas, el 71 % eran hombres y el promedio de edad para el grupo de manejo conservador fue de 48,5 años, frente al promedio del grupo de manejo quirúrgico, que fue de 43,2 años. El seguimiento promedio posterior al inicio del tratamiento médico o quirúrgico fue de 16 meses. En el grupo de manejo quirúrgico, la tasa de recurrencia fue del 7,2 % y el intervalo de recurrencia fue 29,2 meses. Conclusiones: Los pacientes a quienes se les practicó la técnica de trombectomía más fleboextracción presentaron una menor tasa de retrombosis hemorroidal, menor tasa de dolor y sangrado posoperatorio. La trombectomía hemorroidal con fleboextracción es una técnica bien tolerada en el consultorio, que se puede realizar sin anestesia, a diferencia del estándar de manejo actual con hemorroidectomía externa en elipse, que requiere anestesia local, regional o general, y una sala de procedimientos quirúrgicos que deja un defecto mayor en la piel por el tejido resecado, un mayor tiempo de cicatrización y de dolor posoperatorio.

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the results of thrombectomy combined with vein stripping as an alternative to treat external thrombosed hemorrhoid disease. Materials and methods: This is an observational, quantitative, retrospective, cross-sectional and descriptive study of the patients who underwent thrombectomy combined with vein stripping as an alternative technique to treat thrombosed external hemorrhoid disease at the Coloproctology Service of the Hospital Militar Central from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2016. Results: It was found that 197 patients consulted due to thrombosed external hemorrhoids. 71% were men. The average age for the conservative treatment group vs. the surgical treatment group was 48.5 vs. 43.2 years, respectively. The average follow-up time after initiation of medical or surgical treatment was 16 months. In the surgical treatment group, the recurrence rate was 7.2% and the recurrence interval was 29.2 months. Conclusions: Patients who underwent thrombectomy combined with vein stripping had a lower recurrence rate of thrombosed hemorrhoids, a lower pain score, and less postoperative bleeding. Hemorrhoid thrombectomy combined with vein stripping is a well-tolerated technique that can be performed at the doctor's office without anesthesia, unlike the current management standard with external elliptical hemorrhoidectomy, which that requires local, regional, or general anesthesia, and a surgical room, leaving a larger skin defect following the resection of the tissue, with longer healing time and greater postoperative pain.

Correlation between physical activity and cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women from Colombia Caribbean.

Postmenopausal period disturbances are more frequently observed in women with unhealthy lifestyles, insufficient physical activity is related to increased cardiovascular risk (CVR). There is a lack of evidence-based information on physical activity in postmenopausal women and its relationship with CVR factors, including D vitamin serum levels. OBJECTIVE: To determine the physical activity level in postmenopausal women from the Colombia Caribbean and establish relationships between the physical activity and biochemical and anthropometric CVR factors. METHODS: A correlational descriptive study in which 183 postmenopausal women were linked for convenience sampling. Level of physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire) and their relationships with anthropometric variables, blood pressure, lipid profile, glycemic and serum vitamin D were evaluated. RESULTS: According to the physical activity, 82.5% of women were classified as inactive, 9.3% as insufficiently active and only 8.2% as physically active. Physical inactivity was significantly related to higher glucose, triglycerides, and total cholesterol serum levels (P < .05). The prevalence of the women with vitamin D levels less than 30 ng/mL were of 69.9%. The women physically active and with eutrophic nutritional condition had more high levels of vitamin D. CONCLUSIONS: 82.5% of the postmenopausal women evaluated were physically inactive and this condition was associated with higher serum levels of glycemic, total cholesterol and triglycerides. Serum vitamin D concentrations were higher in traffic and physically active women.

Virucidal Action Mechanism of Alcohol and Divalent Cations Against Human Adenovirus.

Hygiene and disinfection practices play an important role at preventing spread of viral infections in household, industrial and clinical settings. Although formulations based on >70% ethanol are virucidal, there is a currently a need to reformulate products with much lower alcohol concentrations. It has been reported that zinc can increase the virucidal activity of alcohols, although the reasons for such potentiation is unclear. One approach in developing virucidal formulations is to understand the mechanisms of action of active ingredients and formulation excipients. Here, we investigated the virucidal activity of alcohol (40% w/v) and zinc sulfate (0.1% w/v) combinations and their impact on a human adenovirus (HAdV) using, nucleic acid integrity assays, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). We observed no difference in virucidal activity (5 log10 reduction in 60 min) against between an ethanol only based formulation and a formulation combining ethanol and zinc salt. Furthermore, TEM imaging showed that the ethanol only formulation produced gross capsid damage, whilst zinc-based formulation or formulation combining both ethanol and zinc did not affect HAdV DNA. Unexpectedly, the addition of nickel salt (5 mM NiCl2) to the ethanol-zinc formulation contributed to a weakening of the capsid and alteration of the capsid mechanics exemplified by AFM imaging, together with structural capsid damage. The addition of zinc sulfate to the ethanol formulation did not add the formulation efficacy, but the unexpected mechanistic synergy between NiCl2 and the ethanol formulation opens an interesting perspective for the possible potentiation of an alcohol-based formulation. Furthermore, we show that AFM can be an important tool for understanding the mechanistic impact of virucidal formulation.

Effectiveness and Safety of Amphotericin B Deoxycholate, Amphotericin B Colloidal Dispersion, and Liposomal Amphotericin B as Third-Line Treatments for Cutaneous and Mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis: A Retrospective Study.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL) are endemic diseases in America, especially in some countries such as Colombia. Among the therapeutic options is amphotericin B (AB). Nevertheless, its lipid-associated formulations have better safety profiles and effectiveness in other diseases, so far with no comparative studies in CL or MCL. We conducted a retrospective descriptive study describing the effectiveness and adverse effects of AB deoxycholate (ABD), AB colloidal dispersion (ABCD), and liposomal AB (LAB) as third-line treatments for CL and MCL. The effectiveness of LAB (88.5%) was greater than those of ABCD (66.6%) and ABD (80.8%). There were also fewer adverse effects in the LAB group (46.2%) than in the ABD (96.1%) and ABCD (80.9%) groups. LAB is an alternative for the treatment of CL and MCL in patients with therapeutic failure to first- and second-line drugs; findings suggest it might be less toxic and more effective than ABD and ABCD.

S100 negative granular cell tumor of the oral cavity: dermoscopy and surgical approach.

We report the case of a 47-year-old male patient with S100 negative granular cell tumor of the oral cavity, focusing on dermoscopic features as well as surgical approach, not previously reported in the literature. The study contributes to the literature on dermoscopy and surgical treatment for this tumor and provides a practical approach to differentiating non-neural granular cell tumors and granular cell tumors.

S100 negative granular cell tumor of the oral cavity: dermoscopy and surgical approach

Abstract: We report the case of a 47-year-old male patient with S100 negative granular cell tumor of the oral cavity, focusing on dermoscopic features as well as surgical approach, not previously reported in the literature. The study contributes to the literature on dermoscopy and surgical treatment for this tumor and provides a practical approach to differentiating non-neural granular cell tumors and granular cell tumors.

La Lepra: una enfermedad vigente / Leprosy: an ongoing disease

El libro resalta que la lepra continúa siendo una enfermedad presente en Colombia y que aún constituye un problema de salud pública importante por los costos sociales, económicos y de sufrimiento humano que conlleva. Sabiendo que la literatura sobre el tema es escasa en nuestro medio, este libro surge como una herramienta de consulta creada para médicos y otros profesionales de salud, con la certeza de que es preciso mejorar la oportunidad del diagnóstico. Siendo fundamental que, durante su proceso formativo, todos los profesionales de la salud adquieran conocimientos sobre dicha enfermedad, que cada día se hace más visible por sus secuelas y diagnóstico tardío.

The book highlights the fact that leprosy continues to be a disease present in Colombia and that it is still a major public health problem due to the social, economic and human suffering costs it entails. Knowing that the literature on the subject is scarce in our country, this book is intended as a reference tool for doctors and other health professionals, in the knowledge that it is necessary to improve the timeliness of diagnosis. It is essential that, during their training process, all health professionals acquire knowledge about this disease, which is becoming more and more visible every day due to its sequelae and late diagnosis.

Astroglial role in the pathophysiology of status epilepticus: an overview.

Status epilepticus is a medical emergency with elevated morbidity and mortality rates, and represents a leading cause of epilepsy-related deaths. Though status epilepticus can occur at any age, it manifests more likely in children and elderly people. Despite the common prevalence of epileptic disorders, a complete explanation for the mechanisms leading to development of self-limited or long lasting seizures (as in status epilepticus) are still lacking. Apart from neurons, research evidence suggests the involvement of immune and glial cells in epileptogenesis. Among glial cells, astrocytes represent an ideal target for the study of the pathophysiology of status epilepticus, due to their key role in homeostatic balance of the central nervous system. During status epilepticus, astroglial cells are activated by the presence of cytokines, damage associated molecular patterns and reactive oxygen species. The persistent activation of astrocytes leads to a decrease in glutamate clearance with a corresponding accumulation in the synaptic extracellular space, increasing the chance of neuronal excitotoxicity. Moreover, major alterations in astrocytic gap junction coupling, inflammation and receptor expression, facilitate the generation of seizures. Astrocytes are also involved in dysregulation of inhibitory transmission in the central nervous system and directly participate in ionic homeostatic alterations during status epilepticus. In the present review, we focus on the functional and structural changes in astrocytic activity that participate in the development and maintenance of status epilepticus, with special attention on concurrent inflammatory alterations. We also include potential astrocytic treatment targets for status epilepticus.

UVA-1 phototherapy for the management of atopic dermatitis: a large retrospective study conducted in a low-middle income country.

BACKGROUND: Medium-dose ultraviolet light A - 1 (UVA-1) phototherapy, given in short courses, has shown efficacy in atopic dermatitis flares; little is known about its use, efficacy, and side effects in prolonged exposure used in the chronic disease despite its extensive use. METHODS: A descriptive retrospective study was conducted; convenience sampling of patients with atopic dermatitis treated with UVA-1 phototherapy was made; evaluation of clinical response by SCORAD, adverse effects, and protocols used in each patient were evaluated. RESULTS: Patients exposed to UVA-1 phototherapy showed a decrease in the SCORAD (30.1 points) - total cumulative dose-dependent (P < 0.0001) - regardless of multiple variables studied. There were low rates of relapse and adverse effects. The most frequent doses were 30 and 60 J/cm2 , three times per week; patients had similar clinical responses and adverse effects in these groups independent of the other variables studied (P = 0.057). CONCLUSION: UVA-1 phototherapy can be an alternative for patients with severe atopic dermatitis even at lower doses than those described in other series (30 J/cm2 ) and not only for acute flares. Cumulative total dose is a variable that affects the clinical response directly. Large prospective studies are needed.

Astrocyte´s RAGE: More Than Just a Question of Mood.

BACKGROUND: Adequate function of the nervous system depends on the balance of glianeuron complex interactions. Astrocytes, in particular, are key elements in this process due to the significant participation of these cells in essential properties of the nervous system such as neuroinflammation, regulation of neurotransmitters, release of gliotransmitters and control of synaptic plasticity, among others. Astrocytes express the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) which is very important in the recognition of endogenous molecules released in the context of infection, physiological stress or chronic inflammation. RAGE can bind several advanced glycation end products, S100 proteins, HMGB1, amyloid-ß and other additional DAMP molecules. The nuclear factorkappa B (NF-κB) transcription pathway is the main intracellular signaling pathway activated by the RAGE receptor, inducing an increase in the expression and release of proinflammatory cytokines. Due to its numerous interactions, RAGE is suspected to be involved in various physiological and pathological processes. CONCLUSION: It is plausible that a prolonged exposure to RAGE ligands or abnormally increased concentrations of some ligands may induce lengthy periods of intracellular proinflammatory activation, which may induce the appearance of reactive astrocytes involved in the development and/or progression of neurodegenerative disorders. Blocking or reducing the duration of activation of RAGE/NF-κB signaling in astrocytes may become an important therapeutic alternative for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders in the future.