Certainty diagnosis of scabies in vivo by epiluminescence microscopy

Scabies represents a frequent and well-known skin disease provoked by infestation of Sarcoptes scabiei var hominis. It is characterized by severe generalized pruritus and by the presence of pathognomic burrows caused by the female arachnid in the epidermis. Often there are secondary symptoms such as pomphos, papules, vesicles or burrows and nodules. Currently, the diagnosis of scabies is established by optical microscopy identification of the mite, or ova in skin scraping removed from a linear or serpiginous elevation of skin in the form of a ridge 0.5-1 cm in length. Nevertheless occasionally even when numerous characteristic scabies symptoms are present, the scrape of burrow can be negative in optical microscopy. The authors showed a specific epiluminescence microscopic pathognomic picture of scabies, that can attribute a high diagnostic resolution to this technique. In respect to optical microscopy, epiluminescence permits the observation of an extended skin surface and reduces the possibility of false negative tests

Mebendazole spectrophotometric determination: theorical and experimental study of the interaction with sodium hydroxide

USP, EP, and Argentinian Pharmacopoeia proposed HPLC-UV for quantitative quality control of mebendazole (MBZ) tablets. In this work, a spectrophotometric method is proposed. A mebendazole solution was prepared by dissolving the active ingredient in an ethanolic solution of HCl (1: 100) and adding NaOH 3N. It was allowed to stand 10 minutes. Absorbance spectrum was scanned between 350 and 700 nm. Maximum was found at 400 nm. A calibration curve in the range of 0.05 to 0.25 mg / mL, responded to A = (2.2746 ± 0.0224) C + (0.0012 ± 0.0068) with R2 = 0.9999. The RSD% was 0.961 indicating good repeatability for the analytical procedure. Accuracy in recovery experience was found to be 99.2 - 100.6%. Statistical comparison using t -test and F ?test indicate that there are no significant differences between HPLC and the spectrophometric methods, whith a 95% confidence level. Specificity and intermediate precision assays were satisfactory. Quantum theoretical chemistry was applied to elucidate the interaction that gives origin to the color, using static approximation and density functional theory, B3LYP and base 6-311G (d, p). Excitation energies B3LYP for MBZ and MBZ product of the interaction with sodium atom, were coincidental with experimental results.Fil: Delfino, Mario Raul. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Química Básica y Aplicada del Nordeste Argentino. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Naturales y Agrimensura. Instituto de Química Básica y Aplicada del Nordeste Argentino; ArgentinaFil: Monzón, Celina María. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Química Básica y Aplicada del Nordeste Argentino. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Naturales y Agrimensura. Instituto de Química Básica y Aplicada del Nordeste Argentino; ArgentinaFil: Jorge, Nelly Lidia. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Naturales y Agrimensura. Departamento de Química; ArgentinaFil: Sarno, María del Carmen Teresa. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Naturales y Agrimensura. Departamento de Química; Argentin

Fast and Efficient Monitoring of Diclofenac Dissolution Profile by CE

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) was used to follow Diclofenac tablet dissolution, in very short times and allowing dissolution testing without volume replacement. By using Student´s t test and F-test, this CE method was compared with HPLC. Statistical data show that there are no significant differences among them. The drug release kinetic of diclofenac tablets was described by various mathematical models and equations. Model-Independent Methods: t50% = 10.34 min; t80% = 20 min; DE% = 79.41% and MDT = 10.85 min, show that diclofenac tablet dissolution rate is very high, having 80% drug dissolution within 20 minutes. Model-Dependent Methods. The kinetics models used were: zero order, first order, Hixson?Crowell cube root law, Higuchi model, and Weibull model. Criteria used to choose the best model was by comparisson of r2 and AIC (Akaike Information Criteria). The model that best adjusts diclofenac tablet dissolution profile was the Hixson-Crowell cube root model.Fil: Monzón, Celina María. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Naturales y Agrimensura; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; ArgentinaFil: Vera Candioti, Luciana. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas. Departamento de Química. Cátedra de Química Analítica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; ArgentinaFil: Sarno, María del Carmen Teresa. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Naturales y Agrimensura; ArgentinaFil: Delfino, Mario Raul. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Naturales y Agrimensura; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; Argentin

Acquired hypertrichosis lanuginosa: a case report.

The authors present a patient with hypertrichosis lanuginosa acquisita without associated malignancy

Bullosis diabeticorum: a case report.

A case of an unusual bullous eruption (bullosis diabeticorum) occurring in a diabetic is reported. Clinical and histological features and possible pathogenetic mechanisms are discussed

A statistical analysis of the characteristics of pigmented skin lesions using epiluminescence microscopy

Due to the fact that not all pigmented skin lesions (PSL) can be diagnosed solely by their clinical appearance, additional criteria are required to optimize the clinical diagnosis of atypical nevus and melanoma. Epiluminescence microscopy is a non-invasive in vivo examination that often helps to improved the accuracy of clinical diagnosis of such lesions. Years of experience have indicated some differential epiluminescent patterns for benign and malignant PSI, but there is some controversy about certain borderline lesions for which histological examination is always necessary. In our study we performed a statistical analysis of data concerning 183 PSI, to determine characteristics significantly associated with these lesions allowing identification of epiluminescent criteria suggestive of atypical nevus and malignant melanoma. Using he chi-quadro test and stepwise regression logistic model, we identified the following epiluminescent pattern as a risk factor for atypical nevus and malignant melanoma: irregular pigment network, presence of capillaries, irregular and abrupt ending of overall pigmentation, irregular brown globules and irregular shape and size of black dots

Erythema gyratum perstans: association with a familial neurologic disease.

Two members of the same family with erythema gyratum perstans and hypertrophic neuritis are reported. The dermatosis could be an expression of localization of neuritis to nerva vasorum with abnormal neurovascular response of cutaneous small vessels to normal stimuli with active erythema followed by cyanosis

Diclofenac quantification: analytical attributes of a spectrophotometric method

An spectrophotometric UV-visible technique used to quantify diclofenac and its application to pharmaceutical preparations is described, based on diclofenac oxidation by Fe(III) in the presence of ophenanthroline. The formation of tris (o-phenanthroline)-Fe(II) complex (ferroin) upon diclofenac reaction was investigated. Absorbance of ferroin complex was measured at 506 nm. This method was tested on 50 mg tablets. Operating with placebos, it was found that excipients do not interfere with the determination. A good linearity was found [y = (0.0294 ± 0.0041)x + (0.1326 ± 0.0559)] with r2 = 0.9982, calibration curve showed a linear range from 5-15 μg/mL of diclofenac. The proposed method was found to be highly precise, having a relative standard deviation (CV) below 2.0 % in repeatability and intermediate precision studies. Accuracy: based on the average recovery of known amounts of drug in placebo was 98.07-101.97 % values that fall within the requirements set by USP and ANMAT (98.0-102.0 %). This method was found to be simple, rapid, specific, linear, reliable and robust, allowing the determination without preliminary extraction procedures.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Photodinamic therapy with toipical aminolevulinic acid for the treatment of plantar warts

Aim. treatment currently employed for plantar warts (PW) are often painfl and poorly effective. This study evaluates the effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) on PW. Methods. Before treatment, the superficial hyperkeratotic layer of warts was removed by the application, for 7 days, of an ointment containing 10% urea and 10% salicylic acid. Then, after gentle curettage, a cream containing 20% ALA was applied under occlusive dressing for 3h on 3 patients with 84 warts, while 30 patients with 62 warts (controls) receveid only base cream. Both groups were irradiated using a visible light lamp (range 400-700 n, peaking at 630 nm). The light dose was 50 J/cm2 each session. Patients were followed-up for 12 months. During the treatemtn some patients referred mild burning sensation or slight pain. The absorption of ALA in warts was investigated and demonstrated by in vivo fluorescence spectroscopy. Results. Two months after the last irradiative session, 84.5% of the ALA-PDT treated lesions and 22.5% of controls had resolved. Conclusions. The results of this study suggest that topical ALA-PDT can be considered as alternative treatment for PW

Effects of the overlapping between an experimental model of neuroendocrine obesity with arterial hypertension under blood pressure, body weight and metabolic and renal parameters in rats

INTRODUCTION: Increased body mass index and the metabolic syndrome are associated with decreased renal function and the development of end-stage kidney disease. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of the overlap between an experimental model of obesity and genetic hypertension on the blood pressure, body weight and metabolic and kidney parameters of rats. METHODS: We studied male rats of the Wistar (WST) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) strains. Monosodium glutamate (MSG) was administered in the neonatal period to both strains, to make up two groups: WST + MSG and SHR + MSG. Animals in the control groups (WST and SHR) received saline. After completing three months of life, a 12-week follow-up period ensued, during which bi-weekly measurements of body weight (BW) and tail-cuff blood pressure (TCBP) were obtained. Microalbuminuria was analyzed at weeks 0, 4, 8 and 12. At the end of the follow-up period, blood was obtained for fasting glucose, plasma creatinine, and lipid profile determinations. The kidneys were removed, stained, and the glomerular sclerosis index was calculated. RESULTS: The administration of MSG produced higher percentage body weight gain, higher fasting blood glucose and a higher degree of glomerular injury in WST-MSG and MSG-SHR rats, compared to their controls. Greater urinary albumin excretion was observed in SHR + MSG rats, when compared to SHR. There was no statistical difference in the TCBP, creatinine, and lipid profile. CONCLUSIONS: The association of neuroendocrine obesity and arterial hypertension promoted morphological and functional changes in the glomerulus. These changes were more severe than those observed in hypertensive-only rats.INTRODUÇÃO: A elevação do índice de massa corporaleapresençadesíndromemetabólica se associam com diminuição da função renal e o aparecimento de doença renal terminal. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito da sobreposição de um modelo de obesidade experimental e hipertensão arterial sobre a pressão arterial, peso corporal e parâmetros metabólicos e renais de ratos. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados ratos machos das cepas Wistar e espontaneamente hipertensos (SHR). Os grupos MSG receberam glutamato monossódico no período neonatal (WST + MSG e SHR + MSG). Os animais controles receberam salina no período neonatal (WST e SHR). Após completarem três meses de vida, por 12 semanas foram pesados e tiveram a pressão arterial de cauda aferida semanalmente. A determinação de microalbuminúria foi realizada nas semanas 0, 4, 8 e 12. Ao final do período de acompanhamento, coletou-se sangue para glicemia de jejum, creatinina e perfil lipídico. Os rins foram retirados, corados e o índice de esclerose glomerular foi calculado. RESULTADOS: A administração de MSG produziu maior ganho percentual de peso corporal, elevação da glicemia de jejum e maior grau de lesão glomerular nos ratos WST -MSG e SHR -MSG quando comparados aos seus controles. Houve maior excreção urinária de albumina nos ratos do Grupo SHR + MSG quando comparados aos SHR. Não houve diferença estatística na pressão arterial de cauda, creatinina e parâmetros do metabolismo lipídico. CONCLUSÕES: A associação de obesidade neuroendócrina e a hipertensão arterial promoveram alterações morfológicas e funcionais no glomérulo mais severas do que aquelas observadas nos ratos somente hipertensos.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São PauloUNIFESPSciEL