Anaplastic cutaneous lymphoma mimicking an infection.

We present a case of a 17-year-old boy who presented with a skin lesion with extension to the soft tissues of the left thigh. On ultrasound, a homogeneous and hypoechoic expansile formation in the subcutaneous tissue was found, measuring 6.5 × 5 × 3.5 cm, with scarce vascularization. Computed tomography showed a low attenuating neoformation with surrounding edema. An inflammatory disorder was the first diagnosis, but the absence of improvement with antibiotics led us to perform magnetic resonance imaging that showed a high signal lesion on T2-weighted imaging and low intensity signal on T1-weighted imaging and surrounding contrast uptake. Positron emission tomography and computed tomography showed uptake of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose by the lesion. The final diagnosis was anaplastic cutaneous lymphoma

Development and characterization of PLGA nanospheres and nanocapsules containing xanthone and 3-methoxyxanthone

The aim of the present work was to develop and characterize two different nanosystems, nanospheres and nanocapsules, containing either xanthone (XAN) or 3-methoxyxanthone (3-MeOXAN), with the final goal of improving the delivery of these poorly water-soluble compounds. The xanthones-loaded nanospheres (nanomatrix systems) and nanocapsules (nanoreservoir systems), made of poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA), were prepared by the solvent displacement technique. The following characteristics of nanoparticle formulations were determined: particle size and morphology, zeta potential, incorporation efficiency, thermal behaviour, in vitro release profiles and physical stability at 4 degrees C. The nanospheres had a mean diameter 77%) were higher than those corresponding to nanospheres for both xanthones. The release of 3-MeOXAN from nanocapsules was similar to that observed for the correspondent nanoemulsion, indicating that drug release is mainly governed by its partition between the oil core and the external aqueous medium. In contrast, the release of XAN from nanocapsules was significantly slower than from the nanoemulsion, a behaviour that suggests an interaction of the drug with the polymer. Nanocapsule formulations exhibited good physical stability at 4 degrees C during a 4-month period for XAN and during a 3-month period for 3-MeOXAN

Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis in the Occipital Condyle: A Case Study and a Brief Review of the Literature

We present a case study of a 5-year-old patient, who presented with left-sided torticollis. Due to persistence of problems, a CT and an MRI were made showing a single osteolytic lesion centred on right occipital condyle. After an open biopsy, histology confirmed it to be Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH). Torticollis or restricted range of motion is a presenting feature in 76% of children with LCH with cervical involvement. There remains much debate on the best treatment strategy. The clinical and radiological outcomes of the case study presented on this article support the treatment of LCH with chemotherapy in cases with solitary involvement of the occipital condyle.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Evaluation of the Psychometric Properties of the Mental Vulnerability Questionnaire in Undergraduate Students

PURPOSE: Translate, adapt the language, and assess the psychometric properties of the Mental Vulnerability Questionnaire (MVQ) in a Portuguese population sample of young adults. DESIGN AND METHODS: A psychometric validation study was performed. The sample comprised 166 undergraduate students. Factor analysis was applied to extract three indicators. FINDINGS: The MVQ showed divergent validity with the Positive Mental Health Questionnaire (p < .001) and convergent validity with the Mental Health Inventory including five items (p < .001). Reliability was verified through the assessment of internal consistency, evidencing positive outcomes (Cronbach's α = 0.81). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The MVQ shows psychometric properties enabling its adaptation to clinical practice and research, essential to an effective screening of mental vulnerability

Defining hereditary alpha-tryptasemia as a risk/modifying factor for anaphylaxis: are we there yet?

Hereditary a-tryptasemia (HaT) is a common autosomal dominant genet-ic trait with variable penetrance associated with increased serum baseline tryptase (SBT) levels. Clinical manifestations may range from an absence of symptoms to overtly severe and recurrent anaphylaxis. Symptoms have been claimed to result from excessive activation of EGF-like module -con-taining mucin-like hormone receptor-like 2 (EMR2) and protease activat-ed receptor 2 (PAR-2) receptors by a/13-tryptase heterotetramers. Herein, we aimed to review the evidence on whether HaT can be considered a hereditary risk factor or a modifying factor for anaphylaxis. Increased SBT levels have been linked to an increased risk of anaphylaxis. Likewise, recent studies have shown that HaT might be associated with a higher risk of developing anaphylaxis and more severe anaphylaxis. The same has also been shown for patients with clonal mast cell disorders, in whom the co-existence of HaT might lead to a greater propensity for se-vere, potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis. However, studies leading to such conclusions are generally limited in sample size, while other studies have shown opposing results. As such, further studies investigating the po-tential association of HaT with anaphylaxis caused by different triggers, and different severity grades, in both patients with clonal mast cell activa-tion syndromes and the general population are still needed

Physicochemical stability and sensory acceptance of a carbonated cashew beverage with fructooligosaccharide added

The objective of this research was to determine the shelf life of a carbonated cashew beverage with fructooligosaccharides added using two different processing methods: by using additives (potassium sorbate/sodium benzoate) without pasteurization and by using pasteurization at 90°C for 1 min with addition of preservatives. Physicochemical analyzes (pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids (°Brix), vitamin C, reducing sugars) and sensory evaluation (triangular test and acceptance test) were performed throughout 60 days of storage at 20°C. The results show a decrease in vitamin C content in both processing methods (p &lt;0.05), while the other physicochemical parameters were similar and stable during the shelf life period. Hedonic scores between 5.0 (neither liked, nor disliked) and 6.0 (slightly liked) were obtained during the test period. The results suggest that it is possible to develop a potentially prebiotic cashew beverage that presents suitable physicochemical and sensory parameters.Keywords: Prebiotic beverages, stability, sensory analysisAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(20), pp. 2986-298

A mechanistic perspective on pex1 and pex6, two aaa+ proteins of the peroxisomal protein import machinery

In contrast to many protein translocases that use ATP or GTP hydrolysis as the driving force to transport proteins across biological membranes, the peroxisomal matrix protein import machinery relies on a regulated self-assembly mechanism for this purpose and uses ATP hydrolysis only to reset its components. The ATP-dependent protein complex in charge of resetting this machinery—the Receptor Export Module (REM)—comprises two members of the “ATPases Associated with diverse cellular Activities” (AAA+) family, PEX1 and PEX6, and a membrane protein that anchors the ATPases to the organelle membrane. In recent years, a large amount of data on the structure/function of the REM complex has become available. Here, we discuss the main findings and their mechanistic implications.This work was financed by FEDER—Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional funds through the COMPETE 2020—Operacional Programme for Competitiveness and Internationalisation (POCI), Portugal 2020, and by Portuguese funds through FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia/Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior in the framework of the project PTDC/BEX-BCM/2311/2014 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-016613) and the project “Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences” (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007274). This work is a result of the project NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000008—Porto Neurosciences and Neurologic Disease Research Initiative at I3S, supported by Norte Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE 2020), under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER). A.B.-B., A.G.P., M.J.F., T.F. and T.A.R. are supported by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, Programa Operacional Potencial Humano do QREN, and Fundo Social Europeu

Anti-inflammatory activity of Blutaparon portulacoides ethanolic extract against the inflammatory reaction induced by Bothrops jararacussu venom and isolated myotoxins BthTX-I and II

This article reports the anti-inflammatory effect of Blutaparon portulacoides (B. portulacoides), specifically the ethanolic extract of its aerial parts, on the edema formation and leukocyte influx caused by Bothrops jararacussu (B. jararacussu) snake venom and Bothropstoxin-I and II (BthTX-I and II) isolated from this venom as an alternative treatment for Bothrops snakebites. The anti-inflammatory effect of B. portulacoides ethanolic extract was compared with an animal group pretreated with dexamethasone. B. portulacoides ethanolic extract significantly inhibited paw edema induced by B. jararacussu venom and by BthTX-I and II. Also, results demonstrated that the extract caused a reduction of the leukocyte influx induced by BthTX-I. However, the extract was not capable of inhibiting the leukocyte influx induced by the venom and by BthTX-II. In conclusion, these results suggest that the ethanolic extract of this plant possess components able to inhibit or inactivate toxins present in B. jararacussu venom, including its myotoxins, responsible for the edema formation. However, the leukocyte migration caused by the venom and BthTX-II was not inhibited by the plant, probably due to the different mechanisms involved in the edema formation and leukocyte influx. This is the first report of B. portulacoides extract as anti-inflammatory against snake venoms and isolated toxins

The body as a brand in social media : analyzing digital fitness influencers as product endorsers

New social actors have emerged with the social media. Among them, we highlighted the digital influencers, people who have millions of online followers, and induce them in favor or against products and brands to be consumed. Therefore, we aimed to analyze this endorsement process carried out by digital influencers in their online profiles, having as research field the fitness market that encourages people to evaluate and work tirelessly in their bodies. We used the Semiotic Image Analysis to investigate the postings of three Brazilian digital fitness influencers and identified four categories that configure the post format: body exposure, body extension, interaction between influencer and brand/product, and interaction between influencer and followers. By means of these categories, we identified that these influencers act as brand avatars, creating an intense link with these products, exposing their bodies in advertisements and extending the meanings of their good shape to endorsed goods and services