Non-melanoma skin cancer of the head and neck: the aid of reflectance confocal microscopy for the accurate diagnosis and management.

Background: Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) represents the most common cutaneous neoplasms of the head and neck. In recent years, novel non-invasive diagnostic tool have been developed, and among these we have the reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM), that offers the evaluation of the skin at real time with cellular resolution. Numerous studies have identified the main confocal features of skin tumours, demonstrating the good correlation of these features with certain dermatoscopic patterns and histologic findings.

On the bioavailability of trace metals in surface sediments: a combined geochemical and biological approach.

The bioavailability of metals was estimated in three river sediments (Sensée, Scarpe, and Deûle Rivers) impacted by different levels of Cu, Cd, Pb, and Zn (Northern France). For that, a combination of geochemistry and biological responses (bacteria and chironomids) was used. The results obtained illustrate the complexity of the notion of "bioavailability.

Kaposi's varicelliform eruption: A case series.

Kaposi's varicelliform eruption is a rare and potentially fatal viral infection caused mainly by reactivation of herpes simplex virus. It concomitantly occurs with pre-existing skin conditions, mostly atopic dermatitis, so it is predominately found in children. We present a case series that includes four adults, familial cases, and previously healthy patients.

Mercury tissue residue approach in Chironomus riparius: Involvement of toxicokinetics and comparison of subcellular fractionation methods.

Along with the growing body of evidence that total internal concentration is not a good indicator of toxicity, the Critical Body Residue (CBR) approach recently evolved into the Tissue Residue Approach (TRA) which considers the biologically active portion of metal that is available to contribute to the toxicity at sites of toxic action. For that purpose, we examined total mercury (Hg) bioaccumulation and subcellular fractionation kinetics in fourth stage larvae of the midge Chironomus riparius during a four-day laboratory exposure to Hg-spiked sediments and water. The debris (including exoskeleton, gut contents and cellular debris), granule and organelle fractions accounted only for about 10% of the Hg taken up, whereas Hg concentrations in the entire cytosolic fraction rapidly increased to approach steady-state.

Inflammation Perturbs the IL-7 Axis, Promoting Senescence and Exhaustion that Broadly Characterize Immune Failure in Treated HIV Infection.

Background: HIV-infected patients who fail to normalize CD4 T cells despite suppressive antiretroviral therapy have impaired immune homeostasis: diminished naive T-cell numbers, elevated T-cell turnover, senescence, and inflammation.

Methods: Blood samples from immune failures (n = 60), immune successes (n = 20), and healthy controls (n = 20) were examined for plasma interleukin (IL)-7 levels, for cellular expression of the IL-7Rα chain (CD127), for the exhaustion and senescence markers programed death 1 (PD-1) and CD57, and for the survival factor Bcl2. Because both inflammatory and homeostatic cytokines can induce T-cell cycling, we also examined the effects of these mediators on exhaustion and senescence markers.

Thrombotic microangiopathy without renal involvement: two novel mutations in complement-regulator genes.

Unlabelled: ESSENTIALS: The differential diagnosis among thrombotic microangiopathies (TMAs) is challenging. We studied a case of TMA with neurologic symptoms, no renal impairment and normal ADAMTS-13 levels. Two novel mutations in complement factor I and thrombomodulin genes were identified.

Annually recurring erythema annulare centrifugum: a case report.

Introduction: Erythema annulare centrifugum is a rare cutaneous disease characterized by erythematous and violaceous annular plaques that usually involved the thighs and the legs. The eruption may be associated with an underlying disease and its accompanying characteristic symptoms. For these reasons, a full physical examination should be conducted to exclude underlying disorders.

Human β Defensin-3 Increases CD86 Expression on Monocytes by Activating the ATP-Gated Channel P2X7.

Human β defensin-3 (hBD-3), an epithelial cell-derived antimicrobial peptide, mediates chemotaxis and activation of myeloid cells. In this study, we provide evidence that hBD-3 induces the costimulatory molecule CD86 on primary human monocytes by a mechanism involving autocrine activation of ionotropic P2X7 receptors (P2X7R) by ATP. Incubation of monocytes with hBD-3 resulted in increased expression of both the CD80 and CD86 costimulatory molecules.

Specific global responses to N and Fe nutrition in toxic and non-toxic Microcystis aeruginosa.

The bloom-forming cyanobacteria species Microcystis aeruginosa includes toxic and non-toxic (microcystin-producing) strains. Certain stress conditions stimulate synthesis of microcystin (MCYST) and enhance the binding of the MCYST molecule to proteins. In this quantitative proteomic study, we compared the response of a wild-type toxic strain PCC 7806, an mcyH(-) knockout non-toxic strain, and a naturally occurring non-toxic strain, PCC 7005, after 8 days in low iron (Fe) and nitrogen (N) starvation in order to assess the benefit of MCYST synthesis in non-optimal conditions.

Conversion of Mountain Beech Coppices into High Forest: An Example for Ecological Intensification.

Converting beech coppices into high forest stands has been promoted in the last decades as a management goal to attenuate the negative effects that frequent clearcutting may have on soil, landscape, and biodiversity conservation. The silvicultural tool usually adopted is the gradual thinning of shoots during the long span of time required to complete the conversion, that also allows the owner to keep harvesting some wood. This research reports and discusses, in the light of the ecological intensification approach, the results achieved from an experimental test started more than 25 years ago in a 42-year-old beech (Fagus sylvatica L.

Oxidized LDL Levels Are Increased in HIV Infection and May Drive Monocyte Activation.

Background: HIV infection is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, and this risk correlates with markers of monocyte activation. We have shown that HIV is associated with a prothrombotic monocyte phenotype, which can be partially mitigated by statin therapy. We therefore explored the relationship between oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) particles and monocyte activation.

Rosuvastatin reduces vascular inflammation and T-cell and monocyte activation in HIV-infected subjects on antiretroviral therapy.

Background: Despite suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART), increased levels of immune activation persist in HIV-infected subjects. Statins have anti-inflammatory effects and may reduce immune activation in HIV disease.

Methods: Stopping Atherosclerosis and Treating Unhealthy bone with RosuvastatiN in HIV (SATURN-HIV) is a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial assessing the effect of rosuvastatin (10 mg daily) on markers of cardiovascular risk and immune activation in ART-treated patients.

Pregnancy complications in acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: a case-control study.

Background: Pregnant women with a history of acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) are considered at risk for disease recurrence and might be at risk for miscarriage, similar to other autoimmune disorders. However, the exact entity of these risks and their causes are unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate risk factors associated with adverse pregnancy outcome, in terms of both gravidic TTP and miscarriage, in women affected by previous acquired TTP.

Congenital and acquired ADAMTS13 deficiency: Two mechanisms, one patient.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a life-threatening microangiopathy with a heterogeneous and largely unpredictable course. It is caused by ADAMTS13 deficiency, that can be either congenital or due to anti-ADAMTS13 autoantibodies development. ADAMTS13 deficiency is necessary but not always sufficient to cause acute clinical manifestations and trigger factors may be needed.

Dermoscopic difficult lesions: an objective evaluation of reflectance confocal microscopy impact for accurate diagnosis.

Background: Early detection of melanoma is the main objective to ensure a high survival rate. In some cases melanoma diagnosis still remain difficult and this leads to unnecessary excisions.

Objective: The aim of this study was to detect the most relevant Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) features for the detection of dermoscopic difficult melanomas.

The ecological controls on the prevalence of candidate division TM7 in polar regions.

The candidate division TM7 is ubiquitous and yet uncultured phylum of the Bacteria that encompasses a commonly environmental associated clade, TM7-1, and a "host-associated" clade, TM7-3. However, as members of the TM7 phylum have not been cultured, little is known about what differs between these two clades. We hypothesized that these clades would have different environmental niches.

Male and couple fertility impairment due to HPV-DNA sperm infection: update on molecular mechanism and clinical impact--systematic review.

Recent evidences identify Human Papillomavirus (HPV) sperm infection as a possible cause of male and couple infertility. It acts through different mechanisms at various steps of human conception and early gestational development. We performed a systematic review to assess the role of HPV semen infection on male and couple infertility.

Estramustine phosphate sodium in heavily pretreated patients with metastatic breast cancer: a retrospective consecutive case series.

Background: Estramustine phosphate sodium (EMP) is an oral agent poorly developed--although active--in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). To resume interest in EMP in MBC, we analyzed a retrospective series of consecutive patients with estrogen receptor-positive disease.

Methods: EMP was given orally at a dose of 140 mg daily.

Personality disorders in addiction outpatients: prevalence and effects on psychosocial functioning.

Aim: To evaluate the prevalence of personality disorders (PDs) in the outpatients attending an addiction service, with particular attention to the effects of PDs on social and occupational functioning and on the intensity of treatment required.

Design: A cross-sectional epidemiological study with the assessment of 320 outpatients, through SCID-II (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis II PDs), SOGS (South Oaks Gambling Screen), and questionnaire extracted from EuropASI.

Results: The percentage prevalence of PDs was 62.

Bioaccumulation of perfluoroalkyl compounds in midge (Chironomus riparius) larvae exposed to sediment.

Midge larvae (Chironomus riparius) were exposed to sediments from a deposition sampled at a site along the Rhône River (France) downstream of an industrial site releasing various perfluorinated chemicals. This sediment is characterized by high concentrations of perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA) and perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA) and a low perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) concentration. Concentrations of 23 perfluoroalkyl compounds, including C4-C14 carboxylate acids, C4-C10 sulfonates, and seven precursors, were analyzed in overlying and pore water, sediment, and larvae.

Bioaccumulation kinetics and effects of sediment-bound contaminants on chironomids in deep waters: new insights using a low-disturbance in situ system.

Effective assessment of sediment quality and associated risks requires further integration between laboratory-based studies and field observations. Tools for in situ exposure of laboratory-reared organisms are particularly suitable for this purpose. However, available tools suffer from technical drawbacks that limit their use in deep waters and their general ability to provide results linking laboratory and field observations.