Cardiovascular risk of smoking and benefits of smoking cessation.

Smoking increases mortality from all causes and has a crucial role in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Active smoking and secondhand smoke exposure determine more than 30% of coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality. The exact mechanisms of cardiovascular damages are not well known, but the detrimental effect of smoking on endothelial function has long been recognized.

Myelodysplastic disorders carrying both isolated del(5q) and JAK2(V617F) mutation: concise review, with focus on lenalidomide therapy.

The concomitant presence of del(5q) and JAK2(V617F) mutation is an infrequent event which occurs in rare patients with peculiar cytogenetic, molecular, morphological and clinical features, resembling those of both myelodysplastic syndromes and myeloproliferative neoplasms. Lenalidomide may induce rapid, profound, and long-lasting responses in a subset of these patients. However, the mechanism(s) by which the drug acts in these conditions remain not completely elucidated.

Mast cell sarcoma of the scalp: the first sign of undisclosed systemic mastocytosis?

Mastocytosis is a neoplastic disease of mast cells and their CD34+ precursors, including a heterogeneous group of disorders. It is characterized by abnormal growth and accumulation of mast cells in one or more organ systems. Mast cell sarcoma is an extremely rare and aggressive disease characterized by local proliferation of atypical mast cells, destructive growth and poor prognosis, without systemic involvement.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor protein and mRNA expression in cutaneous melanocytic tumours.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a widely expressed cytokine involved in various biological processes. Although MIF's functions in cancer have not been completely elucidated, its expression has usually been correlated with tumour progression and aggressiveness, and it is currently discussed as a new promising target for novel therapies. Recent studies seem to confirm its active role in melanoma pathobiology; however, its expression has not yet been extensively studied in melanocytic tumours.

In situ detection of telomeres by fluorescence in situ hybridization and telomerase activity in glioblastoma multiforme: correlation with p53 status, EGFR, c-myc, MIB1, and Topoisomerase IIalpha protein expression.

Aberrations of genes/proteins regulating cell cycle and growth, increased proliferation and telomerase activity (TA) are documentable in glioblastoma multiforme. TA is more frequently detectable in secondary glioblastoma, which is also characterized by p53 mutation/overexpression. Discordant telomere (Te) length values have been reported in glioblastomas with and without TA.

Immunoglobulin gene rearrangement analysis in composite hodgkin disease and large B-cell lymphoma: evidence for receptor revision of immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region genes in Hodgkin-Reed-Sternberg cells?

Immunoglobulin heavy chain gene (IgH) rearrangement was studied in a patient showing the occurrence of classical Hodgkin disease and large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) in the same lymph node. The VHDHJH region was amplified by polymerase chain reaction, the template being the DNA extracted from single Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg and LBCL cells, microdissected on hematoxylin-eosin-stained sections by laser capture. A repeated VH4DH3JH4 segment was found in Reed-Sternberg cells, whereas a repeated VH3DH3JH4 segment was observed in LBCL cells.