Sonoran propolis: chemical composition and antiproliferative activity on cancer cell lines

In this study, we have analyzed the chemical composition and antiproliferative activity of propolis from three different arid and semiarid regions of Sonora, Mexico. We identified and quantitated the main chemical constituents of propolis by HPLC-MS. The most abundant constituents of propolis were pinocembrin, pinobanksin 3-acetate, and chrysin. Sonoran propolis had a strong antiproliferative activity on both murine and human cancer cell lines in a concentration-dependent manner. The propolis constituents CAPE, galangin, xanthomicrol and chrysin showed significant antiproliferative activity on most of the cancer cells tested. DNA harvested from cancer cell cultures treated with Sonoran propolis exhibited a ladder of internucleosomal DNA cleavage characteristic of apoptosis. In summary, we have identified and quantitated the main constituents of Sonoran propolis. These propolis samples possess a strong antiproliferative activity on cancer cell lines.     

Bacterial Vaginosis in the Context of Lichen Sclerosus in a Prepubertal Girl

Group A beta‐hemolytic streptococcus cause most vulvovaginal infections seen in prepubertal girls. Bacterial vaginosis is a common cause of abnormal vaginal discharge in women of childbearing age but is rare in children. Data are insufficient to suggest that bacterial vaginosis is an exclusively sexually transmitted disease. We report a 10‐year‐old girl with no history or suspicion of sexual abuse who developed bacterial vaginosis in the context of a lichen sclerosus being treated with tacrolimus ointment. Secondary bacterial infection in lichen sclerosus is uncommon. We speculate that the immunosuppressive effect of topical tacrolimus could have triggered the infection.     

Analysis of the KRT9 Gene in a Mexican Family with Epidermolytic Palmoplantar Keratoderma

Epidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma (EPPK), an autosomal‐dominant genodermatosis, is the most frequently occurring hereditary palmoplantar keratoderma. EPPK is characterized by hyperkeratosis of the palms and soles. Approximately 90% of patients present with mutations in the KRT9 gene, which encodes for keratin 9. Many of these mutations are located within the highly conserved coil 1A region of the alpha‐helical rod domain of keratin 9, an important domain for keratin heterodimerization. The objective was to assess the clinical and molecular characteristics of a Mexican family with EPPK. The clinical characteristics of members of this family were analyzed. The KRT9 gene of affected members was polymerase chain reaction amplified from genomic DNA and sequenced. All affected members of the family had hyperkeratosis of the palms and soles with knuckle pads. The R163W mutation in the KRT9 gene was present in all affected individuals who were tested. Although R163W is the most frequent KRT9 mutation in patients with EPPK, only two families have been reported with knuckle pads associated with this mutation. Our findings indicate that knuckle pads can be associated with EPPK and the R163W mutation in a family with a genetic background different from that described here.     

Two Cases of Autosomal Recessive Congenital Ichthyosis due to CYP4F22 Mutations: Expanding the Genotype of Self‐Healing Collodion Baby

Collodion babies are born with a tight, shiny cast that sheds in a few weeks. After shedding, most patients will display features of autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis (ARCI) later in life but in up to 10% of cases, the skin eventually becomes normal or only minimally involved, a phenotype called self‐healing collodion baby (SHCB), which is considered as ARCI subtype in the 2010 consensus classification of congenital ichthyosis. The term self‐improving collodion ichthyosis (SICI) has been proposed for these patients. SHCB/SICI was initially associated with mutations in the gene TGM1. However, some cases showing ALOX12B and ALOXE3 gene mutations have also been reported. We report two cases of SHCB/SICI showing homozygous mutations in the gene CYP4F22.     

Utility of stress Doppler echocardiography in patients undergoing percutaneous mitral balloon valvotomy.

A subset of patients with mitral stenosis have symptoms out of proportion to the resting hemodynamics. Exercise Doppler echocardiography is a useful diagnostic modality to determine which patients are limited by their valve obstruction and would therefore benefit from percutaneous mitral balloon valvotomy. We analyzed 11 patients who showed a peak exercise mean mitral gradient that doubled from baseline or a final gradient of > 15 mm Hg. The mean mitral gradient increased from 7 +/- 2 mm Hg at rest to 19 +/- 6 mm Hg (P < .001) with exercise. All patients reported improvement in symptoms of at least 1 functional class after valvotomy.     

Depressive symptoms associated with hereditary Alzheimer's disease: a case description

The authors describe a family group studied by the Centro de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, and the Clínica de la Memoria, las Demencias y el Envejecimiento (Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, Colombia), and evaluate the association of depressive symptoms with Alzheimer's disease (AD). This family presented a hereditary pattern for AD characterized by an early onset of dementia symptoms, a long preclinical depressive course, and, once the first symptoms of dementia appeared, a rapid progression to severe cognitive function impairment. The authors found a high prevalence of depressive symptoms in this family and propose that the symptoms could be an important risk factor for developing AD in the presence of other risk factors such as the APOE E4 allele.     

Repetitive syncopal episodes in a child with documented ventricular tachycardia,early repolarization pattern in leads I an aVL,Brugada syndrome,and fever

We present a small child with febrile peaks and syncopal episodes secundary to ventricular tachycardia, in whom it was eventually possible to demostrate the Brugada Syndrome with a special presentation in the ECG; early repolarization pattern in lead I and a aVL and Brugada pattern during fever in V1‐V2. This is, to our knowledge, tha first case with this special ECG presentation in a small child.     

Prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis in Tucumán,Argentina

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Tucumán, Argentina. METHODS: The study was conducted between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 1999, in Tucumán province in northwest Argentina. Outpatient and hospitalization medical records for all patients with RA aged > or = 16 years were reviewed. Diagnosis was by 1987 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for RA and the population data were based on the 1991 national census. Prevalence rates, with 95% CI, were calculated using the number of San Miguel de Tucumán residents who fulfilled the 1987 ACR criteria for RA as numerator, and the city population aged > or = 16 as denominator. Crude and age-specific prevalence rates were calculated as number of cases/1,000 inhabitants. RESULTS: We identified 695 cases of RA. Sex-specific and overall prevalence rates (per 1,000) were 1.97 (95% CI 1.8-2) for all, 0.6 (95% CI 0.49-0.73) for men, 3.2 (95% CI 2.9-3.5) for women. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of RA is low in residents of Tucumán, Argentina, and comparable with rates observed in epidemiological surveys from Southern European countries.     

Clinical case review: A method to improve identification of true clinical and radiographic pneumonia in children meeting the World Health Organization definition for pneumonia

Background

In 2001, two hexavalent vaccines were licensed in Italy (Hexavac^®, Infanrix Hexa^®), and since 2002 were extensively used for primary immunization in the first year of life (at 3, 5, 11/12 months of age). In 2005, the market authorization of Hexavac^® was precautionary suspended by EMEA, because of doubts on long-term protection against hepatitis B virus. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the persistence of antibodies to anti-HBs, in children in the third year of life, and to investigate the response to a booster dose of hepatitis B vaccine.

Methods

Participant children were enrolled concomitantly with the offering of anti-polio booster dose, in the third year of life. Anti-HBs titers were determined on capillary blood samples. A booster dose of hepatitis B vaccine was administered to children with anti-HBs titers < 10 mIU/ml, with the monovalent precursor product of the previously received hexavalent vaccine. HBsAb titers were tested again one month after the booster.

Results

Sera from 113 children previously vaccinated with Hexavac^®, and from 124 vaccinated with Infanrix Hexa^® were tested for anti-HBs. Titers were ≥ 10 mIU/ml in 69% and 96% (p < 0,0001) respectively. The proportion of children with titers ≥ 100 mIU/ml did also significantly differ among groups (27% and 78%; p < 0,0001). Post-booster, 93% of children achieved titers ≥ 10 mIU/ml, with no significant difference by vaccine group.

Discussion

Fifteen months after third dose administration, a significant difference in anti-HBs titers was noted in the two vaccine groups considered. Monovalent hepatitis B vaccine administration in 3-year old children induced a proper booster response, confirming that immunologic memory persists in children with anti-HBs titers < 10 mIU/ml. However, long-term persistence of HBV protection after hexavalent vaccines administration should be further evaluated over time.