Immunohistochemical double nuclear staining for cell-specific automated quantification of the proliferation index - A promising diagnostic aid for melanocytic lesions.

Aims: Pathologists often use immunohistochemical staining of the proliferation marker Ki67 in their diagnostic assessment of melanocytic lesions. However, the interpretation of Ki67 can be challenging. We propose a new workflow to improve the diagnostic utility of the Ki67-index.

Quantification of microRNA-21 and microRNA-125b in melanoma tissue.

Although microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as potent mediators of melanoma development and progression, a precise understanding of their oncogenic role remains unclear. In this study, we analysed formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues from two separate melanoma cohorts and from a series of benign melanocytic nevi. Using three different quantification methods [array analysis, quantitative PCR (qPCR) and in-situ hybridization (ISH) quantified by digital image analysis], we found considerable miRNA dysregulation in tumours.

Automated quantification of Ki67/MART1 stains may prevent false-negative melanoma diagnoses.

Background: Inability to distinguish melanomas from benign nevi is the most frequent reason for malpractice lawsuits in surgical pathology. Reliable diagnostic tools to support hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stains and induce diagnostic vigilance are thus highly needed. Because high diagnostic performance recently was showed using automated image analysis, the immunohistochemical proliferation marker Ki67 seems a potential candidate.

Fatal haemolytic crisis with microvascular pulmonary obstruction mimicking a pulmonary embolism in a young African man with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.

We report a fatal case of haemolytic crisis mimicking a pulmonary embolism in a previously healthy 42-year-old African man. The patient was admitted to hospital with fatigue, shortness of breath and jaundice lasting for 2 days. Laboratory tests were consistent with haemolysis and inflammation.

Ethanol exerts anti-inflammatory effects in human adipose tissue in vitro.

Moderate alcohol consumption is suggested to be associated with reduced inflammation and morbidity. Human adipose tissue (AT) and obesity is characterised by low-grade inflammation, so the present study wanted to investigate the effects of ethanol on inflammation in human AT in vitro. Subcutaneous human AT was incubated with ethanol [11-88 mM] under non- or LPS-stimulated [50mg/mL] conditions.