Chromobacterium violaceum cellulitis and sepsis following cutaneous marine trauma.

Chromobacterium violaceum is a gram-negative bacillary organism that characteristically produces the purple pigment violacein. Documented as the cause of clinically relevant human infections in only 35 cases in the United States, C violaceum is particularly seen in patients with a history of cutaneous injury or trauma. We report the case of an 18-year-old woman who was struck by a propeller in a boating accident and sustained multiple deep lacerations of her right lower extremity.

Elevated levels of Ser/Thr protein phosphatase 5 (PP5) in human breast cancer.

Ser/Thr protein phosphatase 5 (PP5) regulates several signaling-cascades that suppress growth and/or facilitate apoptosis in response to genomic stress. The expression of PP5 is responsive to hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) and estrogen, which have both been linked to the progression of human breast cancer. Still, it is not clear if PP5 plays a role in the development of human cancer.

Solid-pseudopapillary tumor: a report of three cases in adult males diagnosed utilizing three different modalities.

Solid-pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas is a rare neoplasm of uncertain origin with low malignant potential and often indolent behavior occurring predominantly in adolescent and young women. Here we report the cases of three adult males with pancreatic masses, one with metastasis, diagnosed as solid-pseudopapillary tumor by cytology, electron microscopy (EM), and routine histology. This neoplasm is uncommon in both males and adults and uncommonly metastasizes.

Cantharidin-induced mitotic arrest is associated with the formation of aberrant mitotic spindles and lagging chromosomes resulting, in part, from the suppression of PP2Aalpha.

Cantharidin, a natural vesicant, inhibits the activity of several PPP family phosphatases, displays antitumor activity, and induces apoptosis in many types of tumor cells. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the antitumor activity of cantharidin are not clear. Here, dose-response studies confirm a strong correlation between the suppression of phosphatase activity and cell death.

Hypomelanosis of Ito associated with precocious puberty.

Hypomelanosis of Ito has been associated with precocious puberty in two cases. This study reports a third case involving a female with hypomelanosis of Ito including severe mental retardation and seizure disorder with autonomic symptoms (gastroesophageal reflux and asthma). At age 5 she developed vaginal discharge, thelarche, and adrenarche.