Identification of the M541L sequence variation of the transmembrane KIT domain in Merkel cell carcinoma.

Background: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive KIT-positive cutaneous tumor. KIT mutations are considered to play a key role in the pathogenesis of various neoplasms, but have not been found so far in MCC. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate the presence of KIT mutations in MCC.

Analysis of epidemiology, clinical features and management of erysipelas.

Background: Erysipelas is a superficial form of cellulitis affecting the upper dermis and superficial lymphatics. The widespread use of antibiotics may affect clinical findings and response to therapy of infectious disorders. The purpose of the study was to investigate the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory features of erysipelas and to compare the results of treatment with penicillin vs.

KIT receptor activation by autocrine and paracrine stem cell factor stimulates growth of merkel cell carcinoma in vitro.

The co-expression of KIT receptor and its ligand stem cell factor (SCF) has been reported in biopsy specimens of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). However, the functional role of SCF/KIT in the pathogenesis of this aggressive tumor has not been elucidated. The present study reports expression and effects of SCF and KIT in the Merkel cell carcinoma cell line MCC-1 in vitro.

The protein tyrosine phosphatase, non-receptor type 22 R620W polymorphism does not confer susceptibility to psoriasis in the genetic homogeneous population of Crete.

Recent whole-genome and candidate-gene association studies in patients with psoriasis (PS) have identified a number of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that predispose to disease with moderate risk. Predisposition to PS is known to be affected by genetic variation in human leukocyte antigen-C as well as other non-human leukocyte antigen genes. We recently reported for the first time as a PS-associated SNP the signal transducer and activator of transcription-4 (STAT4) rs7574865 polymorphism, which is also associated with several autoimmune diseases.

STAT4 gene polymorphism is associated with psoriasis in the genetically homogeneous population of Crete, Greece.

Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of many complex diseases have successfully identified novel susceptibility loci, with many of them being associated with more than one condition. Taking into consideration that different autoimmune diseases may share some common pathogenetic pathways, we hypothesized that STAT4, a susceptibility gene found to be associated with increased risk for systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, Sjögren's syndrome, Wegener's granulomatosis, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis may also have a role in psoriasis. Psoriasis is an autoimmune, chronic inflammatory skin disease.

Co-expression of KIT receptor and its ligand stem cell factor in Merkel cell carcinoma.

Background/aims: KIT receptor has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cancer, either by mutation or autocrine activation. Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare KIT-positive cutaneous tumor. We investigated the co-expression of KIT and its ligand stem cell factor (SCF) in MCC.

Botulinum toxin type A--treatment of a patient with multiple cutaneous piloleiomyomas.

Background: Treatment of multiple cutaneous piloleiomyomas which are rare, frequently painful, benign tumors originating from the arrector pilorum muscle of hair follicles is difficult.

Objective: To determine the efficiency of botulinum toxin type A (BT-A) treatment for pain relief of cutaneous piloleiomyomas.

Methods: A patient with multiple painful piloleiomyomas was treated with local injections of 200 units of BT-A.

Interferon-alpha inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of merkel cell carcinoma in vitro.

Merkel cell carcinoma is a tumor with aggressive biological behavior and limited response to chemotherapy. The present study investigated the effect of interferon (IFN)-alpha on growth and apoptosis of Merkel carcinoma cells in vitro. Proliferation of MCC-1 cell line was reduced dose-dependently by IFN-alpha and diminished when higher IFN-alpha concentrations were used.

A simple digital image processing system to aid in melanoma diagnosis in an everyday melanocytic skin lesion unit: a preliminary report.

Background: For early melanoma diagnosis, experienced dermatologists have an accuracy of 64-80% using clinical diagnostic criteria, usually the ABCD rule, while automated melanoma diagnosis systems are still considered to be experimental and serve as adjuncts to the naked-eye expert prediction. In an attempt to aid in early melanoma diagnosis, we developed an image processing program with the aim to discriminate melanoma from melanocytic nevi, establishing a mathematical model to come up with a melanoma probability.

Methods: Digital images of 132 melanocytic skin lesions (23 melanomas and 109 melanocytic nevi) were studied in features of geometry, color, and color texture.

Use of color texture in determining the nature of melanocytic skin lesions--a qualitative and quantitative approach.

Melanocytic nevi are recognized as precursors of melanoma. Aiding in early recognition of melanoma, we estimated color texture parameters, fractal dimension and lacunarity of melanoma and other melanocytic nevi. Digital images of the lesions were processed.

Primary care and pattern of skin diseases in a Mediterranean island.

Background: In Greece where primary health care services are not fully developed, patients with simple or minor conditions have to attend to hospitals to be treated. We analysed the data of patients with cutaneous disorders attending the tertiary referral hospital on the Island of Crete, with the aim to identify the most common conditions that patients complain of, in order to define the areas where the education of General Practitioners in Dermatology must focus.

Methods: All patients attending the Dermatology ambulatory office in the Emergency Department of the University General Hospital of Heraklion from January 2003 to December 2003 were included in this retrospective analysis.

Scleredema adultorum of Buschke presenting as periorbital edema: a diagnostic challenge.

Scleredema adultorum is a rare sclerotic disorder characterized by diffuse swelling and nonpitting induration of the skin. Its occurrence has been documented in association with infections, diabetes mellitus, paraproteinemia, multiple myeloma, and monoclonal gammopathy. We report an unusual case of a 48-year-old man with an asymptomatic bilateral eyelid edema of sudden onset.

Milia en plaque: a case report and review of the literature.

Background: Milia en plaque (MEP) is an unusual entity with a distinctive clinicohistologic appearance. Optimal treatment is unestablished, particularly for MEP located on difficult anatomic areas.

Objective: To illustrate by a case report the clinical presentation and management of MEP.