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OBJETIVO: Determinar la dosis de radiación ultravioleta que reciben los niños y adolescentes durante su asistencia a la escuela primaria, secundaria o preparatoria en la ciudad de San Luis Potosí. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio de cohorte hecho en la ciudad de San Luis Potosí entre mayo de 2001 y abril de 2002. Se evaluaron 80 escolares escogidos al azar de 6 a 19 años de edad, de uno u otro sexo. La dosis se cuantificó durante todo un ciclo escolar mediante el registro del tiempo de exposición solar para cada uno de los alumnos, de modo simultáneo al monitoreo de radiación ultravioleta, para lo cual se utilizaron equipos de radiometría terrestre. Se excluyeron las vacaciones y los fines de semana. Los datos se analizaron en forma univariada y comparativamente, por sexo y meses de exposición; además, se buscó un modelo de regresión para explicar la dosis de exposición solar. RESULTADOS: La dosis promedio ajustada al espectro de eritematógeno acción fue de 16 456 J/m²/año.Hubo diferencias por género: 14 264 J/m²/año/mujeres vs. 18 648 J/m²/año/hombres (Kolmogorov-Smirnof, p=0.003). No hubo diferencias significativas entre grupos, pero sí entre los meses de exposición (Kruskall-Wallis, p=

The primary B-cell lymphoma are a heterogenous group of lymphomas that primarily involve the skin without evidence of systemic disease at the time of diagnosis. They represent the most common type of skin lymphoma in patientes with HIV-AIDS. This paper reports the case of a patient with difuse primary B-cell lymphoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlabelled: There is a broad diversity of moisturizers for the treatment of dry skin; however, we do not know their real effectiveness. The objective here was to evaluate different products through their capacity to increase the epidermal hydration level (EHL) and to reduce the transepidermal water loss (TEWL)., Materials and Methods: We evaluated twenty moisturizers in sixteen individuals. The analysis was made on volar forearm and basal measurements were made for EHL and TWEL with the later application of 8 gm of each moisturizer on a 2 cm2 area., Results: For the EHL we found significant differences among the products (p < 0.0001), but only 35% (n = 7) of the moisturizers registered ascending levels of hydration in the course of measurements. The variance analysis for TEWL also was significant (p < 0.0001)., Conclusions: In the short term only a few products induced a significant change in EHL. This study demonstrates the necessity to obtain objective information in order to avoid false publicity claims that may erroneously influence our prescription habits.

Background: An appropriate sunscreen should provide high and broad ultraviolet protection both for the B and A range. The objective was quantify the ultraviolet absorption spectrum in sunscreens available for medical prescription, and analyze its relationship with the labeled Sun Protection Factor (SPF)., Material and Methods: Thirty-nine sunscreens were analyzed in vitro using ultraviolet spectroscopy following exposure to simulated solar irradiation., Results: Fifty-six percent of sunscreens absorbed 90% or more of ultraviolet radiation. Seventy-five percent (n = 34) absorbed more than 95% of ultraviolet B radiation, and 46% (n = 18) more than 90% of ultraviolet A. There was no significant association between ultraviolet absorption and SPF., Conclusion: We were unable to estimate ultraviolet absorption only by its SPF. Protection differed considerably among products with similar SPF. Our study highlights regulation deficiencies in marketing practices of these products.

Introduction: Topical prescription unlike other dosage forms is generally considered an inaccurate procedure. The fingertip unit (FTU) is a proposed measure for dosing a topical drug. FTU is the amount of ointment obtained from a tube with a 5 mm diameter nozzle, applied from the distal skin-crease to the tip of the index finger., Objective: Asses FTU as a reference measure for topical prescription among the Mexican population., Methods: The length of the II hand fingertip was recorded in 324 individuals and the weight of 1 FTU and its covering surface was registered., Results: Average length of index fingertip was 24 mm (IC95 26.7-27.2) in males (n=40), and 24 mm (IC95 24.3-24.8) in females (n=50). One FTU weighed 0.45 g (IC95 0.41-0.48) in males (n=40), and 0.38 g (IC95 0.35-0.41) in females (n=50). One FTU covered 275 cm2 (IC95 255-294) in males (n=15), and 257 cm2 (IC95 200-240) in females (n=15)., Conclusion: FTU may be a helpful measure for dosing and supervising the administration of topical medications for both patients and dermatologists in Mexico.

Background: In Mexico, information regardiing sunscreen protection is not widely accessible from sources other than manufacturers., Objective: To assess the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 12, over the counter sunscreens for oily or acne-prone skin available in the Mexican market., Setting: Dermatology Department. Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí, Mexico., Subjects and Methods: Twenty healthy volunteers ofskin type III and IV were tested. Sunscreen SPFs were measured using solar simulated radiation according to FDA final monograph., Results: SPFs ranged between 7.8 and 26.9. Overall SPFs determined by solar simulator showed values between 22% to 74% less than the one advertised in their labels., Conclusions: We warn about the potenital risk of SPF overestimation as many of'the sunscreens tested did not comply with their offered protection. A proper regulation is needed because sunscreens are considered cosmetic products and do not require clinical tests to verify their efficacy before marketing.

Background: Telemedicine has been used for more than 50 years. Dermatology has been one of the specialties where it has reached great development (Teledermatology). When the observation is made simultaneously by the outreach specialist and by the non-specialist at the workplace, it is called synchronous teledermatology, and asynchronous when information is filmed, stored, and presented to the specialist at a later time., Objective: To evaluate efficacy and reliability of asynchronous teledermatology for adequate diagnosis of skin diseases., Methods: Fifty patients with dermatologic disorders were seen in a poor tropical rural zone, first by non-dermatologists in conventional consultation and then by dermatologists to obtain a diagnosis (gold standard); the latter step consisted of evaluation of filmed lesions by another group of dermatologist later on., Results: There was a high concordance of diagnosis between the two groups of dermatologists when kappa analysis was performed., Conclusion: It appears important to use these technological advances in developing-countries to improve delivery of health care.

Objective: To determine the ultraviolet radiation dose received by children and adolescents at elementary, middle, or high school., Material and Methods: A cohort study was conducted in the City of San Luis Potosí between May 2001 and April 2002. The study population consisted of 80 school male and female children, selected at random, aged 6 to 19 years of age. The dose was quantitated during an entire schoolyear by recording the time each student was exposed to sunlight. Ultraviolet radiation was simultaneously monitored with terrestrial radiometry equipment. Holidays and weekends were excluded. Data were analyzed using univariate analysis and comparative analysis by sex and months of exposure. A regression model was fit to explain the dose of solar exposure., Results: The erythemally weighted UV dose for Mexican schoolchildren averaged 16,456 J/m2/year. Differences by gender were found: 14,264 J/m2/year in females vs. 18,648 J/m2/year in males (Kolmogorov-Smirnov, p = 0.003). No significant differences were found among groups. Significant differences were found among months of exposure (Kruskal-Wallis, p = < 0.0001). Stepwise regression models were fit to find the best model, using generalized linear modeling and the Akaike information criterion, to explain the radiation dose according to month of exposure; the final equation was 587.20 + 438.45(gender)0.16(month)-49.65(month2). The results showed higher radiation doses between March and September., Conclusions: A theoretical framework is advanced to formulate policies aimed at protecting children in Mexican schools from solar overexposure. Implementing prevention measures at least during the months of greatest exposure (March to June) is in order since 51% of the annual ultraviolet radiation dose is received in this period. By avoiding exposure 8 minutes daily, the radiation dose could be decreased in 39,495 J/m2, which is the dose accumulated in two years. The English version of this paper is available at:http://www.insp.mx/salud/index.html.