A pair of 2-year-old female monozygotic twins presented with short and brittle hair. There was ma... more A pair of 2-year-old female monozygotic twins presented with short and brittle hair. There was marked reduction in hair density, and excessive curving of the eyelashes. Onychodystrophy was also evident. They also had developmental delay in verbal and motor skills. Neither their parents nor other relatives were known to be affected, and there was no history of consanguinity. Examination of the hair shaft under light microscopy showed trichoschisis, which was more evident under electron microscopy. Under polarized light, the hair shafts showed the pathognomonic ‘tiger-tail’ pattern. The level of sulphur in the hair was low. Both patients were negative for TTDN1 mutation. Clinical correlation was performed and the diagnosis of Sabinas syndrome was made. Sabinas syndrome is a very rare autosomal recessive disorder first described in a group of patients from a small community in north-eastern Mexico. It is diagnosable at birth, and its major symptoms include brittle hair, mental retardation and nail dysplasia. Structural hair abnormalities are seen by both light and electron microscopy.
The basis for Mycobacterium tuberculosis virulence is not completely understood. Analysis of the ... more The basis for Mycobacterium tuberculosis virulence is not completely understood. Analysis of the genomic structure of clinical isolates will give information that can be related to biological activities involved in virulence.To determine the extension of the deletion in the plcA–plcB–plcC locus of selected M. tuberculosis isolates, as well as other changes in the chromosome.In the present work we characterized a group of M. tuberculosis isolates devoid of the plcA–plcB–plcC locus by PCR, sequencing and microarrays.PCR amplification of this region demonstrated a complete lack of plcA and plcB ORF's in all of the isolates. The plcC gene was completely deleted in one of the strains (DR-689) and the other three isolates still conserved part of this ORF. The loss of lateral DNA sequences ranged from 3723 to 7646 bp. An IS6110 element was present in all tested strains cases, and some isolates presented the insertion of ORF's coding for proteins homologous to the ESAT-6 and QILSS families. Genomic DNA of all the strains was extracted and analyzed with an in-house microarray system to observe loss of other genes possibly implicated in attenuated virulence. Two of the strains presented novel deletions; the rest of the isolates showed deletions already reported for other M. tuberculosis strains. DR-689, a Beijing type M. tuberculosis strain isolated in Canada, showed an IS6110 RFLP and a genomic deletion pattern similar to a San Francisco family of strains, although completely unrelated epidemiologically.Genomic changes in M. tuberculosis seem to occur in a controlled manner and they are possibly related to changes in its pathogenic properties.
Background Epidemiological studies have associated androgenetic alopecia (AGA) with severe young... more Background Epidemiological studies have associated androgenetic alopecia (AGA) with severe young-age coronary artery disease and hypertension, and linked it to insulin resistance. We carried out a case–control study in age- and weight-matched young males to study the link between AGA and insulin resistance using the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index or metabolic syndrome clinical manifestations.Methods Eighty young males, 18–35 years old, with AGA ≥ stage III in the Hamilton–Norwood classification, and 80 weight- and age-matched controls were included. Alopecia, glucose, serum insulin, HOMA-IR index, lipid profile and androgen levels, as well as metabolic syndrome criteria, were evaluated.Results The HOMA-IR index was significantly higher in cases than controls. Nonobese cases had a higher mean diastolic blood pressure and a more frequent family history of AGA than nonobese controls. A borderline difference in the HOMA-IR index was found in obese AGA cases vs. obese controls [P = 0·055, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2·36–4·20 vs. 1·75–2·73]. Free testosterone values were significantly higher in controls than cases, regardless of body mass index (BMI). A statistically significant additive effect for obesity plus alopecia was found, with significant trends for insulin, the HOMA-IR index, lipids and free testosterone when BMI and alopecia status were used to classify the participants.Conclusions Our results support the recommendation for assessing insulin resistance and cardiovascular-related features and disorders in all young males with stage III or higher AGA, according to the Hamilton–Norwood classification.
Background Current treatments for vitiligo include different therapeutic modalities, such as cor... more Background Current treatments for vitiligo include different therapeutic modalities, such as corticosteroids, immunomodulators, pseudocatalase, skin grafts, diverse types of phototherapy [ultraviolet B (UVB), psoralen plus UVA (PUVA), narrow-band UVB (NB-UVB)], and, recently, targeted phototherapy. After a literature search, we found only two studies using different targeted broad-band UVB units for the treatment of vitiligo.Objective To evaluate the repigmentation response induced with broad-band, UVB-targeted phototherapy used as monotherapy in patients with vitiligo affecting less than 10% of the skin surface.Methods Twelve patients were recruited for treatment with 30 sessions of UVB-targeted phototherapy administered twice weekly. The assessment of repigmentation was made from a comparison of baseline photographs with those after 30 sessions by two independent investigators. Morphometric analysis was performed using a computer program.Results Repigmentation with an average of 66.25% was obtained on lesions of the face, and of 31.5% on the neck, trunk, and genitalia. On the extremities, there was no repigmentation. Itching, a burning sensation, erythema, desquamation, and transitory hyperpigmentation were observed in some patients. Minimal blistering and ulceration were observed in one patient.Conclusion Targeted UVB phototherapy seems to be effective for the repigmentation of vitiligo in lesions located on the face, to a lesser degree on the trunk, and with no response in acral lesions; there were minimal adverse effects that did not require discontinuation of treatment.
In the present report we reviewed a total of 2397 cases of dermatophytosis from superficial cutan... more In the present report we reviewed a total of 2397 cases of dermatophytosis from superficial cutaneous lesions between the years 1978 and 1990. The cases included were from the Department of Dermatology at the University Hospital located in the city of Monterrey, México. A total of 726 tinea pedis, 613 tinea unguium, 441 tinea capitis, 395 tinea corporis and 222 tinea cruris cases were observed. The most commonly isolated dermatophyte species was Trichophyton rubrum (45%), followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes (23.7%), Trichophyton tonsurans (21%), Microsporum canis (7.1%) and Epidermophyton floccosum (2.5%). Less frequently we isolated Microsporum audouinii, Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton violaceum and Trichophyton verrucosum. Most of the cases were observed in the warmest months of the year (from March to September), and were equally distributed in both genders, except for tinea cruris which was more prevalent in men (3.5 : 1 ratio).
... Cutaneous tuberculosis confirmed by PCR in three patients with biopsy and culture negative fo... more ... Cutaneous tuberculosis confirmed by PCR in three patients with biopsy and culture negative for mycobacterium tuberculosis. Oliverio Welsh MD, Dr Sc,; Lucio Vera-Cabrera PhD,; Mercedes Fernández-Reyes MD,; Minerva Gómez MD,; Jorge Ocampo MD. ...
A pair of 2-year-old female monozygotic twins presented with short and brittle hair. There was ma... more A pair of 2-year-old female monozygotic twins presented with short and brittle hair. There was marked reduction in hair density, and excessive curving of the eyelashes. Onychodystrophy was also evident. They also had developmental delay in verbal and motor skills. Neither their parents nor other relatives were known to be affected, and there was no history of consanguinity. Examination of the hair shaft under light microscopy showed trichoschisis, which was more evident under electron microscopy. Under polarized light, the hair shafts showed the pathognomonic ‘tiger-tail’ pattern. The level of sulphur in the hair was low. Both patients were negative for TTDN1 mutation. Clinical correlation was performed and the diagnosis of Sabinas syndrome was made. Sabinas syndrome is a very rare autosomal recessive disorder first described in a group of patients from a small community in north-eastern Mexico. It is diagnosable at birth, and its major symptoms include brittle hair, mental retardation and nail dysplasia. Structural hair abnormalities are seen by both light and electron microscopy.
The basis for Mycobacterium tuberculosis virulence is not completely understood. Analysis of the ... more The basis for Mycobacterium tuberculosis virulence is not completely understood. Analysis of the genomic structure of clinical isolates will give information that can be related to biological activities involved in virulence.To determine the extension of the deletion in the plcA–plcB–plcC locus of selected M. tuberculosis isolates, as well as other changes in the chromosome.In the present work we characterized a group of M. tuberculosis isolates devoid of the plcA–plcB–plcC locus by PCR, sequencing and microarrays.PCR amplification of this region demonstrated a complete lack of plcA and plcB ORF's in all of the isolates. The plcC gene was completely deleted in one of the strains (DR-689) and the other three isolates still conserved part of this ORF. The loss of lateral DNA sequences ranged from 3723 to 7646 bp. An IS6110 element was present in all tested strains cases, and some isolates presented the insertion of ORF's coding for proteins homologous to the ESAT-6 and QILSS families. Genomic DNA of all the strains was extracted and analyzed with an in-house microarray system to observe loss of other genes possibly implicated in attenuated virulence. Two of the strains presented novel deletions; the rest of the isolates showed deletions already reported for other M. tuberculosis strains. DR-689, a Beijing type M. tuberculosis strain isolated in Canada, showed an IS6110 RFLP and a genomic deletion pattern similar to a San Francisco family of strains, although completely unrelated epidemiologically.Genomic changes in M. tuberculosis seem to occur in a controlled manner and they are possibly related to changes in its pathogenic properties.
Background Epidemiological studies have associated androgenetic alopecia (AGA) with severe young... more Background Epidemiological studies have associated androgenetic alopecia (AGA) with severe young-age coronary artery disease and hypertension, and linked it to insulin resistance. We carried out a case–control study in age- and weight-matched young males to study the link between AGA and insulin resistance using the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index or metabolic syndrome clinical manifestations.Methods Eighty young males, 18–35 years old, with AGA ≥ stage III in the Hamilton–Norwood classification, and 80 weight- and age-matched controls were included. Alopecia, glucose, serum insulin, HOMA-IR index, lipid profile and androgen levels, as well as metabolic syndrome criteria, were evaluated.Results The HOMA-IR index was significantly higher in cases than controls. Nonobese cases had a higher mean diastolic blood pressure and a more frequent family history of AGA than nonobese controls. A borderline difference in the HOMA-IR index was found in obese AGA cases vs. obese controls [P = 0·055, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2·36–4·20 vs. 1·75–2·73]. Free testosterone values were significantly higher in controls than cases, regardless of body mass index (BMI). A statistically significant additive effect for obesity plus alopecia was found, with significant trends for insulin, the HOMA-IR index, lipids and free testosterone when BMI and alopecia status were used to classify the participants.Conclusions Our results support the recommendation for assessing insulin resistance and cardiovascular-related features and disorders in all young males with stage III or higher AGA, according to the Hamilton–Norwood classification.
Background Current treatments for vitiligo include different therapeutic modalities, such as cor... more Background Current treatments for vitiligo include different therapeutic modalities, such as corticosteroids, immunomodulators, pseudocatalase, skin grafts, diverse types of phototherapy [ultraviolet B (UVB), psoralen plus UVA (PUVA), narrow-band UVB (NB-UVB)], and, recently, targeted phototherapy. After a literature search, we found only two studies using different targeted broad-band UVB units for the treatment of vitiligo.Objective To evaluate the repigmentation response induced with broad-band, UVB-targeted phototherapy used as monotherapy in patients with vitiligo affecting less than 10% of the skin surface.Methods Twelve patients were recruited for treatment with 30 sessions of UVB-targeted phototherapy administered twice weekly. The assessment of repigmentation was made from a comparison of baseline photographs with those after 30 sessions by two independent investigators. Morphometric analysis was performed using a computer program.Results Repigmentation with an average of 66.25% was obtained on lesions of the face, and of 31.5% on the neck, trunk, and genitalia. On the extremities, there was no repigmentation. Itching, a burning sensation, erythema, desquamation, and transitory hyperpigmentation were observed in some patients. Minimal blistering and ulceration were observed in one patient.Conclusion Targeted UVB phototherapy seems to be effective for the repigmentation of vitiligo in lesions located on the face, to a lesser degree on the trunk, and with no response in acral lesions; there were minimal adverse effects that did not require discontinuation of treatment.
In the present report we reviewed a total of 2397 cases of dermatophytosis from superficial cutan... more In the present report we reviewed a total of 2397 cases of dermatophytosis from superficial cutaneous lesions between the years 1978 and 1990. The cases included were from the Department of Dermatology at the University Hospital located in the city of Monterrey, México. A total of 726 tinea pedis, 613 tinea unguium, 441 tinea capitis, 395 tinea corporis and 222 tinea cruris cases were observed. The most commonly isolated dermatophyte species was Trichophyton rubrum (45%), followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes (23.7%), Trichophyton tonsurans (21%), Microsporum canis (7.1%) and Epidermophyton floccosum (2.5%). Less frequently we isolated Microsporum audouinii, Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton violaceum and Trichophyton verrucosum. Most of the cases were observed in the warmest months of the year (from March to September), and were equally distributed in both genders, except for tinea cruris which was more prevalent in men (3.5 : 1 ratio).
... Cutaneous tuberculosis confirmed by PCR in three patients with biopsy and culture negative fo... more ... Cutaneous tuberculosis confirmed by PCR in three patients with biopsy and culture negative for mycobacterium tuberculosis. Oliverio Welsh MD, Dr Sc,; Lucio Vera-Cabrera PhD,; Mercedes Fernández-Reyes MD,; Minerva Gómez MD,; Jorge Ocampo MD. ...
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