Caspase cascade pathways of apoptosis in oral pemphigus: An immunohistochemical study.

Background: Pemphigus is a group of autoimmune blistering diseases characterized by loss of keratinocyte cell adhesion that leads to blister formation clinically. Induction of apoptosis or of proapoptotic proteins by pemphigus immunoglobulin G (IgG) may be part of the mechanism by which IgG induces acantholysis. Some of the current data suggest that activation of proapoptotic proteins such as bax and caspase cysteine proteinases may sensitize cells to the acantholytic effects of pemphigus IgG.

Evaluation of ploidy status using DNA-image cytometry of exfoliated mucosal cells in oral lichen planus.

Background: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is one of the potentially malignant disorders (PMDs) with a malignancy rate of 0.2-2%. Aneuploidy is considered to be one of the important markers for malignant transformation and DNA-image cytometry (DIC) has been successfully employed in oral mucosal PMDs and also in tumors of the cervix, lung and biliary tract.

Cytomorphometric analysis of exfoliated cells in oral lichen planus.

Background: Tumors are distinguished from normal tissues partly by their pronounced variability of cellular and nuclear dimensions. Therefore, such factors may be an indicator to assess whether the cells are malignant or not. Exfoliative cytology is a reliable tool in assessing such changes in the uterine cervix and has been used in the oral cavity also with success.

Annexin v - affinity assay - apoptosis detection system in granular cell ameloblastoma.

Background: The aim of the study is to detect apoptosis in granular cell ameloblastoma by annexin v affinity assay, a novel technique.

Materials & Methods: Excitional biopsy of two patients with granular cell ameloblastoma were fixed in buffered formalin and later embedded in paraffin wax. Blocks were sliced into 3m thick sections for routine histological and subsequent immunohistochemical examinations.

[A "sweet" hydrothorax].

Background: Hydrothorax is a rare complication of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).

Case Report: A 68-year-old man on CAPD consulted for rapidly progressive dyspnea. An elevated glucose level in the pleural puncture fluid and Tc-99m peritoneoscitigraphy demonstrated pleuroperitoneal communication via Larrey's cleft led to the diagnosis of "sweet" hydrothorax.