Tracking SARS-CoV-2 variants in wastewater in San Pedro de la Paz, Chile.

Studies have shown the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the stool of both symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID-19 patients, enabling wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) to complement clinical monitoring. The emergence of variants can enhance viral transmissibility, highlighting the need for ongoing surveillance to detect and control infectious diseases. This study aimed to detect SARS-CoV-2 variants in wastewater from a treatment plant in San Pedro de la Paz, Chile, between January and November 2021.

A new Rose Bengal glycopolymer: Photosensitization in two stages.

Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy is a promising alternative to deal with antimicrobial resistance. However, both the low specificity and low local oxygen molecular concentrations decrease the antimicrobial efficiency limiting its use. An interesting approach to the problem is the use of molecules that can react reversibly with singlet oxygen by the formation of reversible endoperoxides, such as naphthalene, anthracene and pyridone derivatives.

Casein kinase 2 phosphorylates and induces the SALL2 tumor suppressor degradation in colon cancer cells.

Spalt-like proteins are Zinc finger transcription factors from Caenorhabditis elegans to vertebrates, with critical roles in development. In vertebrates, four paralogues have been identified (SALL1-4), and SALL2 is the family's most dissimilar member. SALL2 is required during brain and eye development.

Role of HDAC6-STAT3 in immunomodulatory pathways in Colorectal cancer cells.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignant neoplasms and the second leading cause of death from tumors worldwide. Therefore, there is a great need to study new therapeutical strategies, such as effective immunotherapies against these malignancies. Unfortunately, many CRC patients do not respond to current standard immunotherapies, making it necessary to search for adjuvant treatments.

Blocking the Farnesyl Pocket of PDEδ Reduces Rheb-Dependent mTORC1 Activation and Survival of Cells.

Rheb is a small GTPase member of the Ras superfamily and an activator of mTORC1, a protein complex master regulator of cell metabolism, growth, and proliferation. Rheb/mTORC1 pathway is hyperactivated in proliferative diseases, such as Tuberous Sclerosis Complex syndrome and cancer. Therefore, targeting Rheb-dependent signaling is a rational strategy for developing new drug therapies.

DISC1 promotes translation maintenance during sodium arsenite-induced oxidative stress.

Variation in Disrupted-in-Schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) increases the risk for neurodegenerative diseases, schizophrenia, and other mental disorders. However, the functions of DISC1 associated with the development of these diseases remain unclear. DISC1 has been reported to inhibit Akt/mTORC1 signaling, a major regulator of translation, and recent studies indicate that DISC1 could exert a direct role in translational regulation.

Donating Another Person's Kidney: Avoiding the Discard of Organs by Retransplantation.

Background: Procurement and retransplantation of a previously transplanted kidney reclaim a functioning organ that would otherwise have been discarded.

Methods: Case series of 3 retransplantation cases within the course of 1 calendar year.

Results: These cases illustrate how to overcome the immunological, logistical, and technical barriers that have thus far limited the potential of this approach.

Rheb signaling and tumorigenesis: mTORC1 and new horizons.

Rheb is a conserved small GTPase that belongs to the Ras superfamily, and is mainly involved in activation of cell growth through stimulation of mTORC1 activity. Because deregulation of the Rheb/mTORC1 signaling is associated with proliferative disorders and cancer, inhibition of mTORC1 has been therapeutically approached. Although this therapy has proven antitumor activity, its efficacy is not as expected.

M-Ras induces Ral and JNK activation to regulate MEK/ERK-independent gene expression in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

Constitutive activation of M-Ras has previously been reported to cause morphologic and growth transformation of murine cells, suggesting that M-Ras plays a role in tumorigenesis. Cell transformation by M-Ras correlated with weak activation of the Raf/MEK/ERK pathway, although contributions from other downstream effectors were suggested. Recent studies indicate that signaling events distinct from the Raf/MEK/ERK cascade are critical for human tumorigenesis.

[Central pontine myelinolysis after liver transplantation. Report of five cases].

Background: Central Pontine Myelinolysis (CPM) is the most severe neurological complication after liver transplantation and apparently is not related to changes in osmolarity.

Aim: To report five transplanted patients with CPM.

Patients And Methods: In a series of 27 patients subjected to liver transplantation between 2005 and 2008, we found five patients who developed CPM.

Verrucous plaque on the back of a hand.

We report the case of a 44-year-old slaughter-house operator with a skin lesion that had been present for two years on the back of his left hand. The lesion had increased progressively in size despite numerous topical treatments. Physical examination revealed an infiltrated erythematous-violet plaque with a verrucous surface featuring numerous orifices draining purulent material.

Diffuse whitening of the oral mucosa in a child.

We report a healthy 16-year-old Caucasian boy, who consulted us for white, asymptomatic lesions in the mouth. The lesions were stable and had been present for 6 years. On physical examination, there were diffuse white, soft, corrugated plaques involving the buccal and labial mucosa, oral commissures, and floor of the mouth.

'Scléroedème génito-sus-pubien' of the newborn: a forgotten disease?

A 2-month-old boy with an important hardening of the skin in the pubic and genital regions is presented. He was born prematurely at 31 weeks of gestation, and required a respirator during the first 72 h. The analytical explorations and abdominal ultrasound images were normal.

Basal cell carcinoma in a girl after cobalt irradiation to the cranium for acute lymphoblastic leukemia: case report and literature review.

A 12-year-old girl had a lesion located on the upper part of the scalp that was clinically interpreted as a melanocytic nevus and corresponded histologically to a basal cell carcinoma. At age 2 years she had been diagnosed as having acute lymphoblastic leukemia L1, for which she was treated with systemic chemotherapy. She also received telecobalt therapy to the whole cranium for prophylaxis of meningeal leukosis.

Mixed tumors with follicular differentiation: complex neoplasms of the primary epithelial germ.

Background: Some mixed tumors of the apocrine variety also show characteristics of follicular and/or sebaceous differentiation. This can be explained because of the common embryologic origin of the three structures in the primary epithelial germ of the superficial ectoderm.

Methods: Twenty specimens of apocrine mixed tumors were studied by conventional microscopy.

Hereditary hypotrichosis simplex of the scalp.

We report on a female aged 13 years, whose scalp hair began to disappear at the age of 9 years, leaving only sparse wispy hairs in the parietal-occipital region. Eyelashes, eyebrows and body hair were unaffected. There were no signs of ectodermal dysplasia on the skin, nails, teeth and eyes nor other congenital abnormalities.

Benign cephalic histiocytosis: case report and literature review.

A 3-year-old boy had maculopapules on his face and neck since age 6 months. These were yellow-brown, asymptomatic, and clinically similar to flat warts. Histopathologic study revealed a fibrohistiocytic infiltrate in the superficial dermis.

Clinical expression of secondary syphilis in a patient with HIV infection.

There are increasing reports of unusual clinical features and atypical courses of syphilis in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Recently, we had the opportunity to study an HIV-positive female patient with strong manifestations of secondary syphilis. The case is discussed together with the implications of secondary syphilis in her concomitant ocular affliction.

[A topical solution of 40% idoxuridine in dimethyl sulfoxide compared to oral acyclovir in the treatment of herpes zoster. A double-blind multicenter clinical trial].

Background: Both topical 40% idoxuridine in dimethylsulfoxide (IDU) and oral acyclovir (ACV) are useful in herpes zoster (HZ). This is the first clinical trial which compares the efficacy of both drugs in the course of the disease and in the prevention of post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN).

Methods: Patients of both sexes older than 18 years, with a HZ of less than 4 days were selected.