Occurrence of two autochthonous cases of American cutaneous leishmaniasis in the neighborhood of Caju,city of Rio de Janeiro,Brazil

American cutaneous leishmaniasis is in full geographic expansion in Brazil and it is considered among the infectious and parasitic diseases of utmost importance worldwide, not only by its frequency, but mainly by therapeutic difficulties, deformities and sequelae that may result. In the state of Rio de Janeiro, the first autochthonous case of American cutaneous leishmaniasis was registered by Rabello in 1913. The authors report two cases of the disease in the region around the Cemetery São Francisco Xavier, in the Caju neighborhood, Rio de Janeiro city, and emphasize the need for actions that aim to early diagnosis and treatment of American cutaneous leishmaniasis cases.     

Comparative analysis of preemptive analgesic effect of tramadol chlorhydrate and nimesulide following third molar surgery

The aim of this prospective, randomized, controlled, paired trial was to perform a comparative analysis of the preemptive analgesic effect of nimesulide and tramadol chlorhydrate during third molar surgery. The study was carried out between March and November 2009, involving 94 operations in 47 male and female patients with bilateral impacted lower third molars in comparable positions. The sample was divided into two groups. Group A received an oral dose of 100 mg of nimesulide 1 h prior to surgery. Group B received an oral dose of 100 mg of tramadol chlorhydrate 1 h prior to surgery. The following aspects were evaluated in the postoperative period: adverse effects of the drugs; amount of rescue medication used (acetaminophen 750 mg); and pain 5, 6, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72 and 84 h after surgery using a visual analog pain scale. Peak pain occurred 5 h after surgery in both groups, with a mean pain score of 2.3 in Group A and 3.0 in Group B; this difference did not achieve statistical significance (p > 0.141). Based on the sample studied, nimesulide and tramadol chlorhydrate demonstrate similar preemptive analgesic effects when used in lower third molar surgeries.     

Norwegian scabies mimicking rupioid psoriasis

Norwegian scabies is a highly contagious skin infestation caused by an ectoparasite, Scarcoptes scabiei var. Hominis, which mainly affects immunosuppressed individuals. Clinically, it may simulate various dermatoses such as psoriasis, Darier''s disease, seborrheic dermatitis, among others. This is a case report of a 33-year-old woman, immunocompetent, diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (cancer phobia), who had erythematous, well-defined plaques, covered with rupioid crusts, on her neck, axillary folds, breast, periumbilical region, groin area, besides upper back and elbows, mimicking an extremely rare variant of psoriasis, denominated rupioid psoriasis.     

Antiangiogenic evaluation of ZnWO4 nanoparticles synthesised through microwave-assisted hydrothermal method

Angiogenesis, the complex process of formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing blood vessels, which involves the participation of several pro- and anti-angiogenic factors, is implicated in many physiological and pathological conditions. Nanoparticle-based anti-angiogenic activity at the tumour tissue, harnessed by the Enhanced Permeability and Retention Effect (EPR effect), could potentially become a breakthrough therapy to halt tumour progression. Herein, we evaluate the anti-angiogenic effect of ZnWO₄ nanoparticles (NPs). The nanoparticles were obtained by microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis (MAHS) at 120?°C for 60?min and were structurally characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and micro-Raman (MR) spectroscopy. The mean size and polydispersity index were estimated by Zeta potential analysis. The XRD analysis revealed structural organisation at a long-range order, with an average crystallite size of around 3.67?nm, while MR revealed short-range order for ZnWO₄. The anti-angiogenic potential of zinc tungstate nanoparticles was investigated through the chorioallantoic membrane assay (CAM) using fertilised chicken eggs. We demonstrate, in an unprecedented way, that nanocrystalline ZnWO₄ NPs obtained by MAHS, at low reaction temperatures, showed excellent anti-angiogenic properties even at low concentrations. The ZnWO₄ NPs were further evaluated for its cytotoxicity in vitro.     

Consenso sobre Ecocardiografia Transesofágica Perioperatória da Sociedade Brasileira de Anestesiologia e do Departamento de Imagem Cardiovascular da Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia

Through the Life Cycle of Intraoperative Transesophageal Echocardiography (ETTI/SBA) the Brazilian Society of Anesthesiology, together with the Department of Cardiovascular Image of the Brazilian Society of Cardiology (DIC/SBC), createded a task force to standardize the use of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography by Brazilian anesthesiologists and echocardiographers based on scientific evidence from the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists/American Society of Echocardiography (SCA/ASE) and the Brazilian Society of Cardiology.     

Dermoscopy applied to pediculosis corporis diagnosis

We report the case of a 47-year-old homeless male with a massive infestation of Pediculus humanus corporis on his entire body. Dermoscopy helped to diagnose pediculosis by showing the involvement of scalp, beard and the genital region in this disease.