Generalized erythematous scaly rash after glucocorticoids

A 65-years-old woman with a medical history of idiopathic throm- bocytopenic purpura and psoriasis in treatment with topical glucocor- ticoids presented with a three-month history of burning, generalized erythematous, scaly rash, and chills. A few weeks before the rash, the patient presented petechiae on her thighs due to a low platelet count (28.000 platelets per microliter), for which she started treatment with prednisone 25 mg/week. The rash was initially treated with topical ointments including clobetasol, urea, salicylic acid, ammonium lactate, and propylene glycol without improvement. The physical examination showed generalized erythroderma (Fig. 1A) from neck to feet (Fig. 1B), with thick silvery desquamation respecting the face and back of the legs (Fig. 1C), involving more than 90% of the patient’s body surface area and erythematous scaly plaques on the scalp. Laboratory test results were normal. A punch biopsy specimen obtained from an arm area showed increased keratinization at the level of the corneal layer with compact parakeratosis with abundant polymorphonuclear cells. The epidermis presented psoriasiform hyperplasia with significant spongio- sis. What is the diagnosis

Obesity- and gender-dependent role of endogenous somatostatin and cortistatin in the regulation of endocrine and metabolic homeostasis in mice

Somatostatin (SST) and cortistatin (CORT) regulate numerous endocrine secretions and their absence [knockout (KO)-models] causes important endocrine-metabolic alterations, including pituitary dysregulations. We have demonstrated that the metabolic phenotype of single or combined SST/CORT KO-models is not drastically altered under normal conditions. However, the biological actions of SST/CORT are conditioned by the metabolic-status (e.g. obesity). Therefore, we used male/female SST- and CORT-KO mice fed low-fat (LF) or high-fat (HF) diet to explore the interplay between SST/CORT and obesity in the control of relevant pituitary-axes and whole-body metabolism. Our results showed that the SST/CORT role in the control of GH/prolactin secretions is maintained under LF- and HF-diet conditions as SST-KOs presented higher GH/prolactin-levels, while CORT-KOs displayed higher GH- and lower prolactin-levels than controls under both diets. Moreover, the impact of lack of SST/CORT on the metabolic-function was gender- and diet-dependent. Particularly, SST-KOs were more sensitive to HF-diet, exhibiting altered growth and body-composition (fat/lean percentage) and impaired glucose/insulin-metabolism, especially in males. Conversely, only males CORT-KO under LF-diet conditions exhibited significant alterations, displaying higher glucose-levels and insulin-resistance. Altogether, these data demonstrate a tight interplay between SST/CORT-axis and the metabolic status in the control of endocrine/metabolic functions and unveil a clear dissociation of SST/CORT rolesThis work was supported by the following grants: Junta de Andalucía (CTS-1406, BIO-0139), ISCIII-FIS [PI13/00651 and PIE14/00005 (co-funded by European Regional Development Fund/European Social Fund “Investing in your future”)], MINECO (BFU2013–43282-R), “Miguel Servet” Program, CIBERobn and Ayuda Merck Serono 2013S

Impacto del rendimiento académico de primer semestre en el abandono de primer año

El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar una propuesta sostenible para el seguimiento y evaluación sistemática del abandono de primer curso en titulaciones relacionadas con la Ingeniería Informática, basada en el tratamiento automático de la información disponible en la universidad. En trabajos previos se ha desarrollado una aplicación informática online, ASIA1a (Aplicación para el Seguimiento Institucional del Abandono de primer año). Usando esta aplicación, se puede analizar el impacto sobre el abandono de diferentes variables. En particular, se ha constatado que uno de los mejores predictores del abandono es el rendimiento académico de primer año. Pero esta variable se conoce demasiado tarde para poder adoptar medidas preventivas. El estudio presentado ahora demuestra que se puede predecir el abandono de primer año a partir de los resultados académicos de las asignaturas de primer semestre, con la ventaja de que esta información se conoce antes. Se concluye que es posible, mediante el tratamiento automático de la información, hacer un seguimiento del proceso de integración de los estudiantes de primer año, evaluar la eficacia de los programas de acogida e identificar alumnos en riesgo de abandono, con el fin de proponer acciones específicas.The goal in this work is to present a sustainable proposal to assess first-year drop-out, in Computer Engineering degrees, based on the systems for automatic treatment of information. An online computer application, ASIA1a (Aplicación para el Seguimiento Institucional del Abandono de primer año), was previously developed, and it has been used to analyze the impact of several different variables on the first-year drop-out rate. It has been observed, in particular, that one of the best predictors of drop-out is academic performance throughout the first year. Unfortunately, this information gets to be known too late to be able to take remedial actions. The present study shows that first-year drop-out can be reliably predicted using only the academic results of courses in the first semester, which are known much earlier. One may thus conclude that it is possible to keep track of the integration process of first-year students by using the automatic means of treatment of the information available on them, thus evaluating the efficiency of the welcoming programs, and identifying the students most likely to drop out in order to propose measures to avoid it

Pneumatocele formation following COVID-19 pneumonia

A 61-year-old man with no significant medical history presented to the emergency department with worsening dyspnea a week after close con-tact with someonewhohad COVID-19. Hewas unvaccinated. He washypoxemic, and the chest radiograph showed bilateralopacities consistent withCOVID-19 pneumonia and tested positive for RNA from SARS-CoV-2. Blood tests showed raised inflammatory markers. Computed tomography (CT)of the chest demonstrated bilateralground-glass opacities. Thepatient washospitalized andtreated with high-flow nasaloxygentherapy, dexameth-asone, and sarilumab. His clinical status improved, and hewas discharged home after 1 week of hospitalization.Three weekslater, hepresented againwith worsening dyspnea, fever, and pleuritic chest pain. A CT pulmonary angiography ruled out pulmonary embolism (Fig. 1A, B) but demonstrated athin-walled cystic lesion with an air–fluid level (Fig. 1A, arrowheads) that suggested an infected pneumatocele. The patient was managed conserva-tively with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid for 3 weeks. During the follow-up, the patient reported the disappearance of symptomatology

ATR-FTIR as a potential tool for controlling high quality vinegar categories

Characterization of wine vinegars qualified with a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) is crucial to certify their quality and authenticity. Spectroscopic techniques as Fourier transform mid infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) with Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) has been applied to investigate its potential as a rapid, cost-effective and non-destructive tool for characterizing different categories of high-quality vinegars. Spectra from 67 wine vinegars belonging to the PDOs “Vinagre de Jerez” and “Vinagre Condado de Huelva”, including their different established categories, were analyzed in the 4000–600 cm−1 infrared region. Changes associated to categories were observed in the region 1800–900 cm−1. These changes were assigned to certain compounds that increase during aging (e.g. acetic acids, alcohols, esters) or are characteristic of Pedro Ximenez category (e.g. sugars, furfural). Principal component analysis carried out on the most relevant spectral features, revealed that aging of vinegars clearly affect the ATR-FTIR spectra obtained in each PDO.Junta de Andalucía P12-AGR-160

2D-ReS2 & diamond nanoparticles-based sensor for the simultaneous determination of sunset yellow and tartrazine in a multiple-pulse amperometry FIA system

We present a flow injection system with a multiple pulse amperometric detection (FIA-MPA)-based methodology for the simultaneous analysis of sunset yellow and tartrazine. As transducer, we have developed a novel electrochemical sensor based on the synergistic effect of ReS2 nanosheets and diamond nanoparticles (DNPs). Among several transition dichalcogenides for the sensor development, we have selected ReS2 nanosheets since it yields a better response towards both colourants. Scanning probe microscopy characterization shows that the surface sensor is composed by scattered and stacked ReS2 flakes and large aggregates of DNPs. With this system, the gap between the oxidation potential values of sunset yellow and tartrazine is wide enough to allow the simultaneous determination of both dyes. Under the optimum potential pulse conditions (0.8 and 1.2 V) during 250 ms, a flow rate of 3 mL/min and a volume injection of 250 μL, detection limits of 3.51 × 10− 7 M and 2.39 × 10− 7 M for sunset yellow and tartrazine, respectively, were obtained. This method exhibits good accuracy and precision with Er minor than 13% and RSD lower than 8% with a sampling frequency of 66 samples per hour. Pineapple jelly samples were analyzed by the standard addition method, obtaining 53.7 mg/kg and 29.0 mg/kg of sunset yellow and tartrazine, respectively. From the analysis of fortified samples, recoveries of 94% and 105% were obtainedThe authors acknowledge financial support from projects PID2020- 113142RB-C21 and PID2020-113142RB-C22 and TED2021-129416 AI00 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and P2018/NMT4349 (TRANSNANOAVANSENS-CM) funded by the Comunidad Autonoma ´ de Madrid. We thank L. Chico for fruitful discussion

Sellado antibiótico de catéteres intravasculares centrales. Presentación de un caso tipo y de un protocolo de sellado antibiótico

El uso de catéteres intravasculares tunelizados centrales supone una aportación fundamental a la medicina moderna. La infección asociada a estos dispositivos es una de las causas más frecuentes de infección nosocomial en nuestro medio. La simple retirada de un catéter infectado puede ser suficiente para el control de la infección, sin embargo, en muchos casos esta retirada es problemática. En este trabajo se presenta un protocolo de sellado antibiótico aplicable a pacientes diagnosticados de infección asociada a catéter.Use of central intravascular catheters is a common practice in our hospital. Catheter related infection is a major cause of nosocomial infection. Withdrawal can be enough to manage these infections, but this is not always possible. In this article we present an antibiotic lock therapy protocol that can be used in catheter related infection

Respuesta superovulatoria y embrionaria en alpacas según el número de folículos reclutados por onda folicular

The aim of this study was to evaluate the superovulatory and embryonic response in alpacas with equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) according to the number of follicles recruited >3 mm in the follicular wave (FW). Twenty-six alpacas from the CIP “Chuquibambilla”, Universidad Nacional del Altiplano, Puno, Peru, were selected and distributed into two experimental groups: GE01 (n=15 alpacas) with less than three follicles >3 mm and GE02 (n=11 alpacas) with more from four follicles >3 mm in diameter to follicular recruitment post-induction of ovulation by a follicle >7 mm with 0.0042 mg of buserelin acetate (BA). Both groups were evaluated by ultrasound every other day until the beginning of the third follicular wave. Subsequently, females with follicles >7 mm were induced to ovulate with BA (day 0), ovulation was verified at 36 h and 700 IU of eCG was administered. On day 6.5 animals were mated and 7.5 days later the embryos were collected. The superovulatory response was similar in GE01 and GE02 with 4.4 ± 4.0 and 4.7 ± 3.7 follicles between >3 and <7 mm; 7.5 ± 3.7 and 10.1 ± 6.3 follicles >7 mm; and 7.2 ± 3.3 and 8.6 ± 5.0 corpora lutea, respectively. Furthermore, GE01 and GE02 presented 1.6 ± 0.5 and 2.8 ± 1.3 luteinized anovulatory follicles and 2.0 ± 1.0 and 2.0 ± 2.2 anovulatory follicles, respectively. In 80% of alpacas in GE01 2.5 ± 1.4 embryos were collected and in 70% of alpacas in GE02 2.3 ± 1.1 embryos were collected. Likewise, 25 transferable and 5 non-transferable embryos were recovered in GE01 (n=15) and 12 transferable and 4 non-transferable embryos in GE02 (n=10). The results suggest that there is no difference in the ovarian response and embryonic collection in alpacas overstimulated with eCG despite a marked difference in emerging follicles >3 mm in the first FW and that it was not sustainable in the second and third FW.El propósito del estudio fue evaluar la respuesta superovulatoria y embrionaria en alpacas con gonadotropina coriónica equina (eCG) según el número de folículos reclutados >3 mm en la onda folicular (OF). Se seleccionaron 26 alpacas del CIP “Chuquibambilla”, Universidad Nacional del Altiplano, Puno, Perú, para conformar dos grupos experimentales: GE01 (n=15 alpacas) con menos de tres folículos >3 mm y GE02 (n=11 alpacas) con más de cuatro folículos >3 mm de diámetro al reclutamiento folicular pos-inducción de la ovulación de un folículo >7 mm con 0.0042 mg de acetato de buserelina (AB). Ambos grupos fueron evaluados por ecografía cada dos días hasta inicios de la tercera onda folicular. Posteriormente, hembras con folículos >7 mm fueron inducidas a la ovulación con AB (día 0), se verificó la ovulación a las 36 h y se administró 700 UI de eCG. Al día 6.5 se hizo el empadre y 7.5 días después se colectaron los embriones. La respuesta superovulatoria fue similar en GE01 y GE02 con 4.4 ± 4.0 y 4.7 ± 3.7 folículos entre >3 y <7 mm; 7.5 ± 3.7 y 10.1 ± 6.3 folículos >7 mm; y 7.2 ± 3.3 y 8.6 ± 5.0 cuerpos lúteos, respectivamente. Además, GE01 y GE02 presentaron 1.6 ± 0.5 y 2.8 ± 1.3 folículos anovulatorios luteinizados y 2.0 ± 1.0 y 2.0 ± 2.2 folículos anovulatorios, respectivamente. En 80% de alpacas en GE01 se colectaron 2.5 ± 1.4 embriones y en 70% de alpacas de GE02 se colectaron 2.3 ± 1.1 embriones. Así mismo, se colectaron 25 embriones transferibles y 5 no transferibles en GE01 (n=15) y 12 embriones transferibles y 4 no transferibles en GE02 (n=10). Los resultados sugieren que no hay diferencia en la respuesta ovárica y colección embrionaria en alpacas superestimuladas con eCG a pesar de una marcada diferencia de folículos emergentes ≥3 mm en la primera OF y que no se hizo sostenible en la segunda y tercera OF