Trichoscopy features of trichotillomania

Trichotillomania is a form of traction alopecia resulting from repetitive and compulsive hair pulling and plucking. Trichotillomania and patchy alopecia areata may have similar clinical and dermoscopic features in some cases. On trichoscopic examination, the presence of black dots, coiled or hook hair, shafts of varying lengths with fraying or split ends (trichoptilosis), and an absence of exclamation mark hairs and yellow dots are suggestive of trichotillomania.     

Melatonin enhances neural stem cell differentiation and engraftment by increasing mitochondrial function

Neural stem cells (NSCs) are regarded as a promising therapeutic approach to protecting and restoring damaged neurons in neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease (PD and AD, respectively). However, new research suggests that NSC differentiation is required to make this strategy effective. Several studies have demonstrated that melatonin increases mature neuronal markers, which reflects NSC differentiation into neurons. Nevertheless, the possible involvement of mitochondria in the effects of melatonin during NSC differentiation has not yet been fully established. We therefore tested the impact of melatonin on NSC proliferation and differentiation in an attempt to determine whether these actions depend on modulating mitochondrial activity. We measured proliferation and differentiation markers, mitochondrial structural and functional parameters as well as oxidative stress indicators and also evaluated cell transplant engraftment. This enabled us to show that melatonin (25 μM) induces NSC differentiation into oligodendrocytes and neurons. These effects depend on increased mitochondrial mass/DNA/complexes, mitochondrial respiration, and membrane potential as well as ATP synthesis in NSCs. It is also interesting to note that melatonin prevented oxidative stress caused by high levels of mitochondrial activity. Finally, we found that melatonin enriches NSC engraftment in the ND mouse model following transplantation. We concluded that a combined therapy involving transplantation of NSCs pretreated with pharmacological doses of melatonin could efficiently restore neuronal cell populations in PD and AD mouse models depending on mitochondrial activity promotion.     

In Vitro and In Vivo Efficacy of Amphotericin B Combined with Posaconazole against Experimental Disseminated Sporotrichosis

We evaluated the combination of posaconazole with amphotericin B in vitro and in a murine model of systemic infections caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis and Sporothrix schenckii sensu stricto. In vitro data demonstrated a synergistic effect, and although posaconazole alone was effective against sporotrichosis, efficacy in terms of survival and burden reduction was increased with the combination. This combination might be an option against disseminated sporotrichosis, especially when itraconazole or amphotericin B at optimal doses are contraindicated.     

Efficacy of Posaconazole in a Murine Model of Systemic Infection by Saprochaete capitata

The fungus Saprochaete capitata causes opportunistic human infections, mainly in immunocompromised patients with hematological malignancies. The best therapy for this severe infection is still unknown. We evaluated the in vitro killing activity and the in vivo efficacy of posaconazole at 5, 10, or 20 mg/kg twice a day (BID) in a murine neutropenic model of systemic infection with S. capitata by testing a set of six clinical isolates. Posaconazole showed fungistatic activity against all of the isolates tested. The different doses of the drug, especially the highest one, showed good efficacy, measured by prolonged survival, reduction of (1-3)-β-d-glucan levels in serum, tissue burden reduction, and histopathology.     

Genetic analyses of celiac disease in a Spanish population confirm association with CELIAC3 but not with CELIAC4

Genetic predisposition to celiac disease (CD) is determined primarily by the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes (CELIAC1 region; 6p21), although many loci are involved in disease susceptibility. First, we have analysed a large series of CD patients from the Spanish Mediterranean region who had previously been characterised for the HLA complex. We have investigated how relevant regions contribute to CD susceptibility: CELIAC3 (CD28/CTLA4/ICOS region on 2q33) and CELIAC4 (19p13) as well as the tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and the linfotoxin loci by case-control and association analyses. We highlight the association with the +49*A allele of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 locus (P = 0.01), and the -308*A of TNF-alpha locus (P = 0.0008) in DQ2 individuals, although an independent role for TNF-alpha as risk factor has not been proven. Moreover, we do not confirm the association with the CELIAC4 region polymorphisms described in other populations.     

Application of Graphene-Related Materials in Organic Solar Cells

Graphene-related materials (GRMs) such as graphene quantum dots (GQDs), graphene oxide (GO), reduced graphene oxide (rGO), graphene nanoribbons (GNRs), and so forth have recently emerged as photovoltaic (PV) materials due to their nanodimensional structure and outstanding properties such as high electrical and thermal conductivity, large specific surface, and unique combination of mechanical strength and flexibility. They can be a crucial part of transparent electrodes, hole/electron transport materials, and active layers in organic solar cells (OSCs). Besides their role in charge extraction and transport, GRMs act as device protectors against environmental degradation through their compact bidimensional structure and offer good durability. This review briefly presents the synthesis methods of GRMs and describes the current progress in GRM-based OSCs. PV parameters (short circuit current, open circuit voltage, power conversion efficiency, and fill factor) are summarized and comparatively discussed for the different structures. The efficiency recently surpassed 15% for an OSC incorporating polymer-modified graphene as a transparent electrode. The long-term stability of OSCs incorporating GRMs is also discussed. Finally, conclusions and the outlook for future investigation into GRM-based devices for PVs are presented.     

Papillary tumor of the pineal region: Case report and review of the literature

Papillary tumor of the pineal region is a rare neuroepithelial tumor characterized by papillary architecture and epithelial cytology, immunopositivity for cytokeratin and ependymal differentiation. It is considered grade II–III by the World Health Organization and was first described by Jouvet in 2003. We present a 34-year-old male with headaches, blurred vision and normal examination. Radiological study showed a nodulocystic lesion in the pineal region compatible with pineocytoma. Surgery was performed using an infratentorial supracerebellar approach, finding a cystic tumor in the quadrigeminal cistern which was completely resected. Histopathology reported a papillary tumor of the pineal region. The patient made good progress without adjuvant therapy, and after 57 months of follow-up he remained asymptomatic and free of recurrence. A review of the literature was performed to collect all the cases published with gross total resection and no complementary treatment. In conclusion, there is still much to be learned about the pathogenesis, prognosis and management of this tumor.     

Circulating tumour cells in peripheral blood: potential impact on breast cancer outcome

Introduction  

In breast cancer, the metastatic process may involve the dissemination of circulating tumour cells (CTCs) through the blood and lymphatic system prior to the colonisation of distant organs. Here we demonstrate the predictive capacity of CTCs for detecting risk of death in breast cancer patients during established time intervals.