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Background Prevalence of skin diseases in Luanda (Angola) is unknown, and publications are barely found in the literature. We aim to describe, for the first time, the frequency of skin disease spectrum in phototype V-VI Angolan population in Luanda City. Methods We included Fitzpatrick phototype V-VI Angolan patients who consulted the Dermatology Unit in Luanda Medical Center during a 1-year period. Medical information was recovered from the electronic database, and diagnoses were based on ICD-10. Only the main complaint was registered, and the results were classified according to age and sex. Criteria exclusion consisted of incomplete clinical records, Fitzpatrick phototype I-IV Angolan, or foreign patients from the study. Results From a total of 3938 patients, 3554 met the inclusion criteria, of which 2742 were adults 13 years or older. In this group, acne (23.6%), dermatophytosis (11.0%), and pityriasis versicolor (8.6%) were the main complaints. On the other hand, in the pediatric population (n = 812), atopic dermatitis (29.4%), tinea capitis (13.7%), and molluscum contagiosum (12.5%) were the most frequent disorders. In adult females, acne (31.3%) was the main condition, while in adult males, dermatophytosis (13.5%). In children, the frequency of atopic dermatitis was comparable: 29.1% and 28.6% in girls and boys, respectively. Conclusions We published for the first time the frequency of the skin disease spectrum in Fitzpatrick phototype V-VI Angolan population in Luanda City, highlighting the prevalence of acne, dermatophytosis, and atopic dermatitis.

We performed STM-ENDOR experiments where the intensity of one of the hyperfine components detected in ESR-STM is recorded while an rf power is irradiated into the tunneling junction and its frequency is swept. When the latter frequency is near a nuclear transition a dip in ESR-STM signal is observed. This experiment was performed in three different systems: near surface SiC vacancies where the electron spin is coupled to a next nearest neighbor 29Si nucleus; Cu deposited on Si(111)7x7 surface, where the unpaired electron of the Cu atom is coupled to the Cu nucleus (63Cu, 65Cu) and on Tempo molecules adsorbed on Au(111), where the unpaired electron is coupled to Nitrogen nucleus (14N). While some of the hyperfine values are unresolved in the ESR-STM data due to linewidth we find that they are accurately determined in the STM-ENDOR data including those from remote nuclei, which are not detected in the ESR-STM spectrum. Furthermore, STM-ENDOR can measure single nuclear Zeeman frequencies, distinguish between isotopes through their different nuclear magnetic moments and detect quadrupole spectra. We also develop and solve a Bloch type equation for the coupled electron-nuclear system that facilitates interpretation of the data. The improved spectral resolution of STM - ENDOR opens many possibilities for nanometric scale chemical analysis., 8 pages, 7 figures

Paederus dermatitis (PD), dermatitis linearis or “ferro em brasa” is an inflammatory skin reaction against pederin, a vesicant non-proteinaceous toxin present in the hemolymph of Paederus spp. The beetle distributes along tropical and subtropical climates; it inhabits crop fields (rice), marshes and riverbanks to avoid desiccation. Paederus is more active during the earliest hours after sunset and it is attracted by artificial lights, so humans are usually exposed at night in urban and suburban areas. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Background Prolonged lithium treatment may induce progressive deterioration of renal function in humans and experimental animals. N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) has been shown to be effective in the prevention of hypoperfusion and toxin-induced renal failure, but its effect on lithium nephrotoxicity has not been evaluated yet. The purpose of this study was to examine a possible renoprotective effect of NAC against lithium-induced renal failure in a rat model. Methods Moderate renal failure was induced in 40 Sprague-Dawley rats using a 5 week protocol including 3 weeks of lithium chloride administration in the drinking water. The animals were divided randomly into two equal groups receiving either 10 mg/kg NAC or saline by two daily intraperitoneal injections. In week 6, the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was assessed by 99mTechnetium diethylene triaminepentaacetic acid, and serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and 24 h urinary protein and osmolarity were measured. Kidneys were excised for pathological evaluation. Results At the end of the lithium protocol, the GFR was significantly higher in the NAC-treated group compared with the control group, 0.92+/-0.35 vs 0.56+/-0.25 ml/min/100 g, respectively, P = 0.002. Serum creatinine and BUN were also significantly lower in the NAC-treated group 1.009+/-0.107 vs 1.143+/-0.118 mg/dl, P = 0.001, and 83.9+/-6.8 vs 88.95+/-7.1 mg/dl, P = 0.28, respectively. The percentages of tubular necrosis and tubular lumen obstruction, evaluated by light microscopy, were significantly lower in the NAC-treated group, P = 0.002 and P = 0.007, respectively. Conclusions NAC treatment has a renoprotective effect against lithium-induced renal failure in a rat model.

Background: Amphotericin B may cause acute reduction in renal function. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has a renoprotective activity in several nephrotoxic renal insults, but its effect on amphotericin-induced renal failure has not been investigated yet. Methods: Acute renal failure was induced in 30 Sprague-Dawley rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of amphotericin B (50 mg/kg). NAC (10 mg/kg) in isotonic saline or isotonic saline alone were administered daily for 4 days, starting 1 day before the amphotericin B injection. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was assessed using 99m-technetium diethylene triaminepentaacetic acid. Before and following amphotericin B administration, a 24-hour urine collection was performed for sodium, potassium and magnesium determination. The kidneys were preserved for pathologic examination. Results: Amphotericin B induced a significant decrease of GFR in both groups. Four days after amphotericin injection the GFR in the NAC-treated group was significantly higher than in the control group (0.62 ± 0.20 vs. 0.46 ± 0.14 ml/min, p = 0.042). Histologic signs of acute tubular necrosis were attenuated in the NAC-treated group. There were no significant differences between the groups in sodium, potassium and magnesium urine excretion after amphotericin injection. Conclusions: NAC treatment exerted a renoprotective effect on deterioration of GFR in a rat model of amphotericin-induced renal failure. No functional protection on tubular function, as obviated by similar polyuria and urine losses of potassium and magnesium in both groups, was observed.

The effect of N-acetylcysteine on renal function, nitric oxide, and oxidative stress after angiography.BackgroundRenal failure induced by radiographic contrast agents is a known complication of coronary angiography, especially among patients with chronic renal failure. Recently, treatment with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has been shown to have a protective effect but the mechanisms are unknown. We examined the hypothesis that NAC protected against contrast-induced renal impairment through effects on nitric oxide metabolism and oxidative stress.MethodsPatients with a serum creatinine concentration above 106 μmol/L undergoing coronary angiography were randomly assigned to receive either NAC 1g (N = 24) or placebo (N = 29) twice daily 24hours before and after angiography with 0.45% saline hydration in a double-blind study. Creatinine clearance was calculated and urinary nitric oxide and F2-isoprostane excretion were measured at baseline, 24 and 96hours after angiography.ResultsTreatment with NAC significantly improved the effect of contrast media on creatinine clearance, and maximal beneficial effect was observed 24hours after angiography. Creatinine clearance (mL/min) was 59.5 ± 4.4, 64.7 ± 5.8, and 58.7+3.9 at baseline, 24, and 96hours after angiography in the NAC group, respectively, and 65.2 ± 3.2, 51.5 ± 3.7, and 53.6 ± 3.9 in the placebo group, respectively (P < 0.0001). NAC treatment prevented the reduction in urinary nitric oxide after angiography. The urinary nitric oxide/creatinine ratio (μmol/mg) was 0.0058 ± 0.0004, 0.0057 ± 0.0004, and 0.0052 ± 0.0004 at baseline, 24, and 96hours after angiography in NAC group, respectively, and 0.0057 ± 0.0007, 0.0031 ± 0.0005, and 0.0039 ± 0.0005 in the placebo group, respectively (P = 0.013). NAC had no significant effect on urinary F2-isoprostanes.ConclusionNAC treatment has renoprotective effect in patients with mild chronic renal failure undergoing coronary angiography that may be mediated in part by an increase in nitric oxide production.

Rationale and Objective. Nephrotoxicity of contrast media, resulting in apoptosis and acute necrosis of tubular cells, is well documented. No studies concerning mesangial cells apoptosis have been published yet. Aim Apoptosis of cultured mesangial, tubular, and hepatic cell lines was investigated following exposure to different contrast media. Methods. Apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL assay and verified by Mayer Hematoxylin staining. Results. Iopromide, Ioxaglate, and Ioxatalamate induced apoptosis in all cell cultures at final concentrations ranged from 0.1% to 10.0%. However, only 1% to 10% Iomeprol elicited a significant apoptosis. Moreover, at 10% concentration, Iomeprol induced significantly less apoptosis than Iopromide, Ioxaglate, or Ioxatalamate. Conclusions. First, Iomeprol, which has a different physico-chemical properties, proved to be less proapoptotic compared with other contrast compounds. Second, all types of cells similarly respond by apoptosis to contrast media induced injury. However, apoptosis of mesangial cells might generate additional deleterious effects in vivo.