University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus

About: University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus is a education organization based out in San Juan, Puerto Rico, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 1711 authors who have published 1496 publications receiving 27756 citations.

A study of nickel allergy.

Abstract: N ickel is a potentially allergenic material. It is one of the most common causes of allergic contact dermatitis, particularly in women. l-5 Nickel can also be considered an occupational allergen. Nickel contact dermatitis is common among industrial workers, especially in those industries that use nickel as a raw material. It has been demonstrated that U.S. S-cent coins contain approximately 25% nickel and that they can induce eczematous contact dermatitisbm8 A great number of daily use objects that contain nickel and can therefore cause contact dermatitis have been rep0rted.j. 6. “, !” It has been demonstrated also that nickel-containing metallic orthopedic implants are linked to the produc?ion of sensitization dermatitis.‘i-1’ The “nickel itch” dermatitis caused by jewelry worn on the body or by occupation in nickel industries such as electroplating represents about 5% of all eczema in humans.14 .4s these alloys become more popular in dentistry, the frequency of allergic reactions should become more significant in the susceptible population and may result in inconvenience and expense for the patient who wears a prosthesis that contains the allergenic substances. The ability of a metal to induce dermatitis appears to he related to its pattern and mode of corrosion. All base metals corrode. In vitro investigations have shown that most nickel-based alloys have relatively high rates of corrosion compared with dental gold alloys. Products that result from this corrosion could produce a soft rissue inflammation reaction and thereby initiate a sensitization dermatitis. Implants that contain nickel and chromium, with the exception of those fabricated from stainless steel, corrode in tissue fluids and facilitate migration of nickel and chromium to the surrounding tissue.“-” Many studies concerning nickel hypersensitivity have been reported.‘4-‘7 Numerous authors agree that there is a great variety of factors that can influence the development of hypersensitivity to nickel. The most important are mechanical irritation, skin maceration, individual susceptibility, temperature, climate, and intensity and duration of exposure.‘, 3, 4, 9. I8 Mechanical irritation and skin maceration promote sensitivity. An increase in temperature causes increased sweating and the chloride ion present in perspiration ionizes the nickel present in the alloys. In this way nickel salts are formed that induce skin hypersensitivity reactions.’

Systemic lupus erythematosus in a multiethnic US cohort, XXXVII: Association of lymphopenia with clinical manifestations, serologic abnormalities, disease activity, and damage accrual

Abstract: Objective To determine if lymphopenia is associated with clinical/immunologic manifestations, disease activity, and disease damage in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods The study group comprised 591 patients with SLE participating in a multiethnic, longitudinal outcome study. Cumulative clinical/immunologic (per American College of Rheumatology criteria) and pharmacologic treatment variables were obtained at enrollment (T0) and last visit (TL). Lymphopenia (<1,500/mm3) was scored only when clinically attributable to SLE and not to medications or other causes. Lymphocyte counts were expressed in 4 categories per the Systemic Lupus Activity Measure (SLAM): normal (≥1,500/mm3), mild (1,000–1,499/mm3), moderate (500–999/mm3), and marked (<500/mm3). Disease activity was assessed with the SLAM and the Physician's Global Assessment (PGA). Disease damage was determined with the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics Damage Index (SLICC-DI). The relationship of lymphopenia with cumulative clinical/immunologic and pharmacologic treatment variables was first examined, then the association between the SLAM, PGA, and SLICC-DI scores with different categories of lymphopenia was examined by generalized estimating equation (GEE) regression analyses. Ethnicity, age, and sex were entered into all regression models. Results At T0 and TL, lymphopenia was found to be positively associated with renal involvement, leukopenia, anti–double-stranded DNA antibodies, anti-Ro antibodies, and the use of glucocorticoids, azathioprine, and methotrexate, but was negatively associated with photosensitivity. On GEE analyses, marked lymphopenia at T0 and moderate and marked lymphopenia for all visits were independently associated with higher SLAM, PGA, and SLICC-DI scores. Conclusion Lymphopenia is associated with several clinical/immunologic manifestations in SLE. Moderate and marked lymphopenia are associated with higher disease activity and damage accrual.

The Efficacy and Adverse Events of Testosterone Replacement Therapy in Hypogonadal Men: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trials

Abstract: Context The efficacy and safety of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in hypogonadal men remain incompletely understood. Objective To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCT) to determine the effects of TRT on patient-important outcomes and adverse events in hypogonadal men. Data sources We searched Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, Ovid Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Ovid Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Scopus from inception to March 2th, 2017. Study selection RCTs that assessed the efficacy and adverse events of TRT of at least 12 weeks compared with placebo in adult men with hypogonadism, defined by morning testosterone ≤300 ng/dL and at least one symptom or sign of hypogonadism. Data extraction Reviewers working independently and in duplicate assessed the quality of the trials and collected data on patient characteristics, interventions, and outcomes. Data synthesis We found 11 publications, reporting on 4 eligible trials (including 1,779 patients) at low risk of bias. Compared to placebo, TRT was associated with a small but significant increase in sexual desire or libido [standardized mean difference (SMD): 0.17, 95% CI 0.01, 0.34] (n=1383), erectile function [SMD: 0.16, 95% CI 0.06, 0.27] (n=1344), and sexual satisfaction [SMD: 0.16, 95% CI 0.01, 0.31] (n=676), but had no effect on energy or mood. TRT was associated with an increased risk of developing erythrocytosis [relative risk: 8.14, 95% CI: 1.87, 35.40] (n=1579) compared to placebo, but had no significant effect on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Conclusion In hypogonadal men TRT improves sexual desire, erectile function, and sexual satisfaction, however it increases the risk of erythrocytosis.

Soy Isoflavone Genistein-Mediated Downregulation of miR-155 Contributes to the Anticancer Effects of Genistein

Abstract: We previously reported that dietary genistein inhibits mammary tumor growth and metastasis of the highly metastatic MDA-MB-435 cancer cells in immunocompromised mice. The purpose herein was to characterize the role of the novel oncogenic microRNA (miRNA) miR-155 in the anticancer effects of genistein in metastatic breast cancer. The effect of genistein was determined on breast cancer cell viability, apoptosis, and expression of miR-155 and its targets. At low physiologically relevant concentrations, genistein inhibits cell viability and induces apoptosis in metastatic MDA-MB-435 and Hs578t breast cancer cells, without affecting the viability of nonmetastatic MCF-7 breast cancer cells. In parallel with reduced cell viability, miR-155 is downregulated, whereas proapoptotic and anticell proliferative miR-155 targets FOXO3, PTEN, casein kinase, and p27 are upregulated in MDA-MB-435 and Hs578t cells in response to genistein treatment. However, miR-155 levels remain unchanged in response to genistein in the MCF-7 cells. Ectopic expression of miR-155 in MDA-MB-435 and Hs578t cells decreases the effects of genistein on cell viability and abrogates the effects of genistein on apoptosis and expression of proapoptotic genes. Therefore, genistein-mediated downregulation of miR-155 contributes to the anticancer effects of genistein in metastatic breast cancer.