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BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a pro-inflammatory disease with unknown etiology, that is characterized by skin inflammation and keratinocytes hyperproliferation. Specific inhibition of inflammation has shown positive effects avoiding the progression of the psoriatic lesions in different animal models of the disease, turning this strategy as a remarkable therapeutic alternative. OBJECTIVE: To screen the effectiveness of a novel IFN-α/ß signalling inhibitor in the development reduction of skin lesions in IMQ and TPA mice models of psoriasis. METHODS: We used a Phage-peptide library for the screening of a peptide with inhibitory effects on the development of psoriasis-like lesions in mice. To evaluate the in vivo effect of the phage-peptides (Phpep3D) and the derived peptide (Pep3D), we administered Phpep3D or Pep3D intradermally in mice with imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis and 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced psoriasis. We scored the lesions, and we determined the number of neutrophils and the production of some pro-inflammatory cytokines in the lesions. RESULTS: In this work, we describe how the Ph3pepD and Pep3D reduced skin thickness, redness, and acanthosis despite the presence of the psoriasis inducers, IMQ or TPA. We also found that Pep3D reduced the number of GR1+ infiltrated cells and decreased the production of IL-17A and TNFα in the psoriatic skin of mice. In-silico, docking analysis showed that Pep3D may interact with the interferon-alpha receptor, but further analyses should be performed to uncover the mechanism of action of this peptide. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that Pep3D could be used as a new treatment for psoriasis.

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We describe an ancestry-informative autosomal SNP multiplex designed to be a small-scale, flexible panel that can complement uniparental markers in assessing the American variability (i.e. pre-Colombian) found in contemporary indigenous American populations. This study centered on choosing SNPs with the specific characteristics of: 1) extreme allele frequency differences between indigenous Americans and the African, European and East Asian population groups that contribute to present-day population variation in the Americas; 2) high informativeness-for-assignment In values; and 3) well-spaced genomic distribution and chromosomal separation from existing small-scale forensic ancestry marker sets. The resulting capillary electrophoresis SNaPshot single base extension test was named: PIMA (Population Informative Multiplex for the Americas), comprising 26 autosomal SNPs, a single X-chromosome SNP plus the amelogenin sex marker adapted for SNaPshot. PIMA complements the established 34plex forensic ancestry panel to provide a powerful and simple tool for the analysis of American populations, including those with admixed histories, commonly encountered in America. Comparing the results obtained with the combined marker panels of PIMA and 34plex to SNP data from a much larger ancestry panel allowed us to gauge their relative efficiency. PIMA+34plex gives equivalent power to the 314-SNP 'LACE' genomic ancestry control panel, while requiring a much smaller genotyping effort. The ancestry profiles and genetic structure of 22 populations spread across the American continent were estimated using PIMA+34plex data, and those estimates were contrasted with information provided by uniparental markers (mtDNA and Y-chromosome loci) for a small set of admixed individuals from Venezuela. Our results indicate that an American genetic component is efficiently detected in contemporary American populations using a small set of ancestry informative SNPs, and these co-ancestry estimates are consistent with the known history and demography of the Americas. The small scale and high population differentiation power of PIMA, particularly when combined with 34plex, provides a practical and powerful tool for genetic studies of American populations as well as forensic DNA analyses.

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High-porosity nanostructured amorphous tungsten OXIDE (a-WO3) films were synthesized by a Hot Filament Chemical Vapor Deposition technique (HFCVD) and then transformed into a crystalline WO3 by simple thermal annealing. The a-WO3 films were annealed at 100, 300, and 500 °C for 10 min in an air environment. The films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), micro-Raman spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), and UV-vis spectroscopy. Results revealed that the a-WO3 films were highly porous, composed of cauliflower-like structures made of nanoparticles with average sizes of 12 nm. It was shown that the effect of annealing on the morphology of the a-WO3 films leads to a sintering process. However, the morphology is conserved. It was found that at annealing temperatures of 100 °C, the a-WO3 films are of an amorphous nature, while at 300 °C, the films crystallize in the monoclinic phase of WO3. The calculated bandgap for the a-WO3 was 3.09 eV, and 2.53 eV for the film annealed at 500 °C. Finally, the results show that porous WO3 films preserve the morphology and maintain the porosity, even after the annealing at 500 °C.

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Resumen ANTECEDENTES La enfermedad hemolítica perinatal ocurre después de una transfusión sanguínea, que sensibiliza con antígenos eritrocitarios, hemorragia materno-fetal durante el embarazo o al momento del parto. La incidencia de anticuerpos anti-D ha disminuido de 14 a 0.1% en las madres D-negativas. No existe una inmunoglobulina que evite o disminuya la aloinmunización por otros antígenos eritrocitarios durante el embarazo. La incompatibilidad del grupo sanguíneo Duffy es una causa común de enfermedad hemolítica perinatal. OBJETIVO Exponer el caso de una paciente con hijo con enfermedad hemolítica perinatal por anticuerpos anti-Fya y anti-D tratado con transfusión intrauterina. CASO CLÍNICO Paciente de 22 años, con antecedente de múltiples transfusiones sanguíneas y datos clínicos de síndrome anémico. En la semana 28 del embarazo fue valorada para aplicarle inmunoglobulina anti-D. Luego de aplicarle dos unidades de concentrado eritrocitario Rh negativo se observó incompatibilidad (++) en fase de antiglobulina humana (Coombs), por esto se realizó el escrutinio de anticuerpos irregulares en gel, que resultó positivo en células I y II (+++). Enseguida se inició el protocolo de identificación de anticuerpos irregulares con un panel de 11 células, que reportó aglutinación en las células 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 y 11, sin mostrar especificidad. El estudio de adsorción del anticuerpo anti-D mostró células de antígeno D+ con las que se estableció el diagnóstico de anticuerpos anti-Fya y anti-D. El embarazo finalizó mediante cesárea con el nacimiento de un varón con grupo y Rh O positivo, de 30.1 semanas de gestación (talla de 40 cm y peso de 2000 g) con hidrops fetal. Se le realizaron ciclos de reanimación e ingresó a la unidad de cuidados intensivos neonatales, sin tratamiento farmacológico, y después de una hora de vida extrauterina falleció. La madre se dio de alta del hospital 36 horas después del puerperio, sin complicaciones adicionales. CONCLUSIÓN Los anticuerpos antieritrocitarios anti-Fya, solos o en combinación con otros anticuerpos, provocan enfermedad hemolítica perinatal severa. El laboratorio de inmunohematología tiene participación importante en el diagnóstico, seguimiento y tratamiento de la enfermedad hemolítica perinatal.

Abstract BACKGROUND Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn occurs after alloimmunization with red blood cells antigens by blood transfusion, maternal-fetal hemorrhage during pregnancy or at delivery. Currently, the incidence of alloimmunization by anti-D antibody has been reduced from 14% to 0.1% of D-negative mothers, however, there is no immunoglobulin that prevents or decreases alloimmunization by other red blood cells antigens during pregnancy. The incompatibilities of the Duffy blood group are a common cause of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. OBJECTIVE To present the case of a neonate with perinatal hemolytic disease secondary to anti-Fya and anti-D antibodies managed with intrauterine transfusion. CLINICAL CASE A 22-year-old patient with a history of multiple blood transfusions and clinical data of anemic syndrome. In the 28th week of pregnancy it was evaluated for the application of anti-D immunoglobulin. The blood bank was asked for two units of Rh negative erythrocyte concentrate. Incompatibility (++) in the human antiglobulin phase (Coombs) was observed, so the irregular antibody gel was screened, which was positive in cells I and II (+++). An identification protocol for irregular antibodies was initiated with a panel of 11 cells, which reported agglutination in cells 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 11, without specificity. The adsorption study of the anti-D antibody showed D + antigen cells. The diagnosis of anti-Fya and anti-D antibodies was established. The pregnant woman was terminated by caesarean section, from which a male with a group was born and Rh O positive, of 30.1 weeks of gestation (size of 40 cm and weight of 2000 g) with fetal hydrops. He underwent resuscitation cycles, entered the neonatal intensive care unit, without pharmacotherapy and died after one hour of extrauterine life. The mother withdrew 36 hours after the puerperium, without additional complications. CONCLUSION The antibodies anti-Fya alone or next to other alloantibodies produce severe hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. The laboratory of immunohematology in the blood bank is an essential tool in the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn.

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El liquen amiloideo es un tipo de amiloidosis cutánea primaria localizada, de etiología desconocida. Generalmente afecta a adultos, siendo más frecuente en ciertos grupos étnicos. Clínicamente se manifiesta por pápulas pruriginosas, frecuentemente localizadas en miembros inferiores. Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 50 años, con un historial de dos años caracterizado por pápulas agminadas en piernas, que tras la realización de una biopsia se diagnosticó liquen amiloideo.

Amyloid lichen is a type of localized primary cutaneous amyloidosis of unknown etiology. It usually affects adults being more frequent in certain ethnic groups. Clinically it is manifested by pruritic papules frequently located in lower limbs. We present the case of a 50-year-old woman, with a two-year history characterized by papules agminated in the legs that diagnosed amyloid lichen after biopsy.

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BACKGROUND: Food allergy (FA) prevalence is well documented in developed countries and appears to be increasing, but remains unknown in most Latin American countries. We aimed to evaluate on a population basis the parent-reported prevalence of FA and its clinical characteristics in Mexican schoolchildren. METHODS: A validated Spanish version of a structured written questionnaire was administered to parents of schoolchildren aged 5-13 years old from Culiacan, Mexico. RESULTS: A total of 1049 parents responded to the survey (response rate, 84%). The estimated prevalence rates (95% CI) were: adverse food reactions 10.0% (8.3-11.9), "perceived FA, ever" 5.5% (4.3-7.0), "physician-diagnosed FA, ever" 4.9% (3.7-6.3), "immediate-type FA, ever" 4.4% (3.3-5.8), "immediate-type FA, current" 3.5% (2.6-4.8), and anaphylaxis 1.2% (0.72-2.1). Immediate hypersensitivity reactions were mainly triggered by the consumption of shrimp (1.3%), other shellfish (0.7%), strawberry (0.6%), chocolate (0.5%), and egg (0.4%). Schoolchildren with "immediate-type FA, current" had more atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis (p<0.05), but not asthma or drug allergy (p>0.05) than children without FA. All cases of anaphylaxis sought medical attention, but only one child had physician-diagnosed anaphylaxis and was advised to acquire an epinephrine autoinjector. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of "immediate-type FA, current" to any food is 3.5% in Mexican schoolchildren. The poor recognition of anaphylaxis and the low frequency of prescription of epinephrine autoinjectors suggest that acute food-induced allergic reactions are not optimally managed in Mexico.

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The publication of papers on the topic of gluten related disorders has substantially increased over the last few years. This has motivated healthcare professionals to pay attention not only to celiac disease and wheat allergy but also to a condition termed nonceliac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). Until now this condition has been diagnosed clinically on the basis of exclusion criteria and clinical response to gluten withdrawal. In addition, recent research in this field has shown that other food components distinct from gluten are implicated in NCGS cases, thereby changing our general understanding of NCGS diagnosis in either individuals on gluten containing diets or those already following a gluten-free diet with no proper diagnostic work-up of celiac disease. With this in mind, the assessment of NCGS will require extensive knowledge of celiac disease manifestations and the laboratory tests commonly performed during diagnosis of celiac disease.

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Background: On February 27, 2010 a powerful earthquake followed by a tsunami stroke Chile. The study of mortality during this emergency can provide important public health information. Aim: To describe the main characteristics of people who died during the earthquake and the following three months. Material and Methods: Cross sectional analysis of death records databases obtained from Department of Health Statistics and Information of the Ministry of Health and the Coroner office. Results: Until May 25,2010, 505 corpses were completely identified. Seventy two of these corresponded to people aged 80 years or more. The higher age adjusted death rates per 100,000 inhabitants were observed among subjects aged more than 80 years and those aged 70 to 79 years (22.6 and 7.7 respectively). The higher rates of deaths were observed in regions where the earthquake had a higher intensity and coastal regions affected by the tsunami. The causes of death were trauma in 75% of cases and drowning in 25%. There was no association between the Mercalli scale of earthquake intensity and rates of death. Among deceased subjects, there was a concentration of unemployed, under educated and low socioeconomic status subjects. Conclusions: After the earthquake, the higher rates of deaths occurred among older people and in the region of the epicenter of the earthquake. Most deaths were due to trauma.

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BACKGROUND: On February 27, 2010 a powerful earthquake followed by a tsunami stroke Chile. The study of mortality during this emergency can provide important public health information. AIM: To describe the main characteristics of people who died during the earthquake and the following three months. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross sectional analysis of death records databases obtained from Department of Health Statistics and Information of the Ministry of Health and the Coroner office. RESULTS: Until May 25,2010, 505 corpses were completely identified. Seventy two of these corresponded to people aged 80 years or more. The higher age adjusted death rates per 100,000 inhabitants were observed among subjects aged more than 80 years and those aged 70 to 79 years (22.6 and 7.7 respectively). The higher rates of deaths were observed in regions where the earthquake had a higher intensity and coastal regions affected by the tsunami. The causes of death were trauma in 75% of cases and drowning in 25%. There was no association between the Mercalli scale of earthquake intensity and rates of death. Among deceased subjects, there was a concentration of unemployed, under educated and low socioeconomic status subjects. CONCLUSIONS: After the earthquake, the higher rates of deaths occurred among older people and in the region of the epicenter of the earthquake. Most deaths were due to trauma.

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