In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy of basal cell carcinoma with cystic degeneration.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer, may display various clinical aspects, frequently has subclinical extension, and through local invasion may induce important tissue damage. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is a modern technique that allows a non-invasive investigation of skin structure with a nearly histological resolution, and may achieve an optimal in vivo evaluation of skin tumors in combination with dermoscopy. We report a case of nodular BCC with areas of cystic degeneration in which in vivo RCM and dermoscopy evaluation enabled an accurate diagnosis and a detailed preoperative evaluation of tumor margins allowing the optimization of surgical treatment, with best aesthetic and functional results.

Pancreatic expression of DOG1: a novel gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) biomarker.

The cDNA microarray gene profile of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) revealed that DOG1 (TMEM16A) gene was mostly expressed in these neoplasms. Immunohistochemically, DOG1 protein was found positive in a significant proportion of GISTs. However, normal tissues' expression of DOG1 is not yet completely studied.

The influence of sodium metavanadate on the process of diabetogenesis in BB rats.

Vanadium has been shown to be beneficial in the oral treatment of animal models of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The aim of the study was to evaluate the short-term effects of sodium metavanadate in prediabetic BB-DP rats. To do this, 96 rats were divided into 4 equal groups.