Cytoplasmic beta-catenin is lacking in a subset of melanoma-associated naevi, but is detectable in naevus-associated melanomas: potential implications for melanoma tumorigenesis?

Background: An excess of intracellular beta-catenin protein is triggered by various genetic alterations in melanoma cell lines, and has been suggested to play a role in melanoma tumorigenesis.

Objectives: To investigate the role played in vivo by beta-catenin in melanoma tumorigenesis, we compared the cytoplasmic detection of beta-catenin in benign melanocytic cells vs. malignant melanoma cells presumably generated from these benign melanocytic cells.

Dose intensity correlate with survival in elderly patients treated with chemotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Introduction: In elderly patients treated with chemotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), frequently an adequate dose intensity (DI) is difficult to be delivered. We therefore performed in this population a study to assess the delivered DI and its impact on clinical outcome.

Patients And Methods: Inclusion criteria were: age equal or greater than 70 years; cytological or histological diagnosis of NSCLC; stage IIIB or IV; no previous chemotherapy for advanced disease.

Crystal structure and functional analysis of the protein disulfide isomerase-related protein ERp29.

The protein disulfide isomerase-related protein ERp29 is a putative chaperone involved in processing and secretion of secretory proteins. Until now, however, both the structure and the exact nature of interacting substrates remained unclear. We provide for the first time a crystal structure of human ERp29, refined to 2.

Biodegradation of different synthetic hydrogels made of polyethylene glycol hydrogel/RGD-peptide modifications: an immunohistochemical study in rats.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the pattern of biodegradation of different polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogel/RGD-peptide modifications in rats.

Material And Methods: Two different hydrogels were employed: (i) a combination of four-arm PEG-thiol, M(n)=2.3 kDa, and eight-arm PEG-acrylate, M(n)=2.

Acromegaly secondary to an incidentally discovered growth-hormone-releasing hormone secreting bronchial carcinoid tumour associated to a pituitary incidentaloma.

In this report we emphasize the opportunity of considering the uncommon causes of chronic GH-excess in the initial diagnostic process, such as GHRH hypersecretion, especially in the presence of ambiguous pituitary neuroimaging. This topic may have an important clinical significance in order to plan the most cost-effective diagnostic procedures and management and to avoid unnecessary pituitary neurosurgery.

Immortalization of human neural stem cells with the c-myc mutant T58A.

Human neural stem cells (hNSC) represent an essential source of renewable brain cells for both experimental studies and cell replacement therapies. Their relatively slow rate of proliferation and physiological senescence in culture make their use cumbersome under some experimental and pre-clinical settings. The immortalization of hNSC with the v-myc gene (v-IhNSC) has been shown to generate stem cells endowed with enhanced proliferative capacity, which greatly facilitates the study of hNSCs, both in vitro and in vivo.

Composition of supra- and subgingival biofilm of subjects with healthy and diseased implants.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the microbial composition of supra- and subgingival biofilm in subjects with and without peri-implantitis.

Material And Methods: Forty-four subjects (mean age 48.9 +/- 13.

Immunological aspects of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a specific clinical condition that characterises unexplained disabling fatigue and a combination of non-specific accompanying symptoms for at least 6 months, in the absence of a medical diagnosis that would otherwise explain the clinical presentation. Other common symptoms include headaches, myalgia, arthralgia, and post-exertional malaise; cognitive difficulties, with impaired memory and concentration; unrefreshing sleep; and mood changes. Similar disorders have been described for at least two centuries and have been differently named neurasthenia, post-viral fatigue, myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic mononucleosis.

High values of CXCL10 serum levels in mixed cryoglobulinemia associated with hepatitis C infection.

Objectives: No study has evaluated circulating CXCL10 in patients with mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) chronic infection. The aim of this study is to measure inteferon-inducible protein 10 (CXCL10/IP-10), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) (Th1 cytokines) in a series of cryoglobulinemic patients and to correlate this parameter to the clinical phenotype.

Methods: Serum CXCL10, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha were assayed in 102 patients with hepatitis C-associated cryoglobulinemia (MC + HCV), in 102 sex- and age-matched patients with type C chronic hepatitis without cryoglobulinemia (HCV+), and in 102 sex- and age-matched controls.

Locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: induction chemotherapy with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil followed by radiotherapy and concurrent cisplatin: a phase II study.

Background: Chemoradiotherapy is the current standard of care for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and efficacy of induction chemotherapy (CHT) followed by concomitant chemoradiotherapy in this patient population.

Patients And Methods: In this single-arm, phase II study, patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma were treated with 3 cycles of induction CHT with cisplatin (100 mg/m(2) on day 1) and 5-fluorouracil (1,000 mg/m(2) continuous infusion on days 1-4) followed by 3 cycles of cisplatin (100 mg/m(2) on days 1, 22 and 43) and concurrent radiotherapy up to 70 Gy.

Complete pathological response of hepatocellular carcinoma with systemic combination chemotherapy.

Prognosis of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma is dismal when locoregional treatments have failed. Systemic chemotherapy is seldom effective in inducing objective response and prolonging survival. We report a case of complete pathological remission of hepatocellular carcinoma after three cycles of systemic chemotherapy.

Safety of anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

Objective: The prevalence of concurrent rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is probably underestimated because of the increasing spread of this virus worldwide, especially in developing countries. In these patients, anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (anti-TNF-alpha) therapy may aggravate hepatitis and increase viremia. We evaluated the safety of these treatments, which remain controversial.

Freeman-Sheldon syndrome. A case report and review of the literature.

The Authors describe a case of Freeman-Sheldon Syndrome, a rare congenital autosomal dominant disorder (gene mapped on chromosome 11p15.5) characterized by microstomia with crinkled lips, camptodactyly with ulnar deviation of the fingers and equinus-varus-supine clubfoot. The autosomal recessive form, even rarer and difficult to recognize, has a more severe clinical manifestation.

Activation of human alveolar macrophages via P2 receptors: coupling to intracellular Ca2+ increases and cytokine secretion.

Alveolar macrophages play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory airway diseases. By the generation and release of different inflammatory mediators they contribute to both recruitment of different leukocytes into the lung and to airway remodeling. A potent stimulus for the release of inflammatory cytokines is ATP, which mediates its cellular effects through the interaction with different membrane receptors, belonging to the P2X and P2Y families.

Influence of different air-abrasive powders on cell viability at biologically contaminated titanium dental implants surfaces.

Studies have indicated that oral biofilm formation at structured titanium surfaces interferes with cell adhesion and proliferation, and its removal by means of conventional treatment procedures may not be sufficient to render these surfaces biologically acceptable. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of different air-abrasive powders on cell viability at biologically contaminated titanium dental implant surfaces. Intraoral splints were used to collect an in vivo biofilm on sandblasted and acid-etched titanium discs for 48 h.

Structural comparison of crystal and solution states of the 138 kDa complex of methylamine dehydrogenase and amicyanin from Paracoccus versutus.

Methylamine can be used as the sole carbon source of certain methylotrophic bacteria. Methylamine dehydrogenase catalyzes the conversion of methylamine into formaldehyde and donates electrons to the electron transfer protein amicyanin. The crystal structure of the complex of methylamine dehydrogenase and amicyanin from Paracoccus versutus has been determined, and the rate of electron transfer from the tryptophan tryptophylquinone cofactor of methylamine dehydrogenase to the copper ion of amicyanin in solution has been determined.

Lateral ridge augmentation using particulated or block bone substitutes biocoated with rhGDF-5 and rhBMP-2: an immunohistochemical study in dogs.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to immunohistochemically evaluate lateral ridge augmentation using a particulated (BOG) or block (BOB) natural bone mineral biocoated with rhGDF-5 and rhBMP-2 in dogs.

Materials And Methods: Three standardized box-shaped defects were surgically created at the buccal aspect of the alveolar ridge in each quadrant of eight beagle dogs. After 2 months of healing, the chronic-type defects were randomly allocated in a split-mouth design to either (i) BOG or (ii) BOB biocoated with (a) rhGDF-5 or (b) rhBMP-2, respectively.

Clinical analysis of multiple primary malignancies in the elderly.

Background: Cancer incidence raises progressively during life span; it is estimated that by the year 2030 almost 70% of all neoplasms will occur in people over 65 years old. As carcinogenesis is a multistep, time-requiring process, it is expected that as people live longer they are more likely to develop cancer, and therefore, the prevalence of multiple primary malignancies (MPM) is destined to increase with age.

Patients And Methods: Records of all consecutive cancer patients referred to our center from January 2004 to January 2007 were reviewed.

P2X(7) receptor: Death or life?

The P2X(7) plasma membrane receptor is an intriguing molecule that is endowed with the ability to kill cells, as well as to activate many responses and even stimulate proliferation. Here, the authors give an overview on the multiplicity and complexity of P2X(7)-mediated responses, discussing recent information on this receptor. Particular attention has been paid to early and late signs of apoptosis and necrosis linked to activation of the receptor and to the emerging field of P2X(7) function in carcinogenesis.

Shaping immune responses through the activation of dendritic cells' P2 receptors.

Dendritic cells (DCs) activate and shape the adaptive immune response by capturing antigens, migrating to peripheral lymphoid organs where naïve T cells reside, expressing high levels of MHC and costimulatory molecules and secreting cytokines and chemokines. DCs are endowed with a high degree of functional plasticity and their functions are tightly regulated. Besides initiating adaptive immune responses, DCs play a key role in maintaining peripheral tolerance toward self-antigens.

CD137 ligand reverse signaling has multiple functions in human dendritic cells during an adaptive immune response.

T cell activation via dendritic cells (DC) is an important step in the adaptive immune response, which requires DC maturation, migration to lymph nodes and presentation of antigen to T cells. CD137 receptor expressed on activated T cells is a potent costimulatory molecule. Here, we investigated the functions of CD137 ligand (CD137L) in human monocyte-derived DC during an immune response.

Histologic analysis of human peri-implant bone in type 1 osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a disease that influences the quality of bone tissue. At present, osteoporosis represents a contraindication or a risk factor for osseointegration. The aim of this report was to evaluate the bone-to-implant contact of 2 loaded implants retrieved after prosthetic failure in a woman with type 1 osteoporosis.

Randomized trial of intravenous iron supplementation in patients with chemotherapy-related anemia without iron deficiency treated with darbepoetin alpha.

Purpose: Unresponsiveness to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, occurring in 30% to 50% of patients, is a major limitation to the treatment of chemotherapy-related anemia. We have prospectively evaluated whether intravenous iron can increase the proportion of patients with chemotherapy-related anemia who respond to darbepoetin.

Patients And Methods: Between December 2004 and February 2006, 149 patients with lung, gynecologic, breast, and colorectal cancers and >or= 12 weeks of planned chemotherapy were enrolled from 33 institutions.

Immunohistochemical characterization of guided bone regeneration at a dehiscence-type defect using different barrier membranes: an experimental study in dogs.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate immunohistochemically the pattern of guided bone regeneration (GBR) using different types of barrier membranes.

Material And Methods: Standardized buccal dehiscence defects were surgically created following implant bed preparation in 12 beagle dogs. Defects were randomly assigned to six different GBR procedures: a collagen-coated bone grafting material (BOC) in combination with either a native, three cross-linked, a titanium-reinforced collagen membrane, or expanded polytetrafluorethylene (ePTFE), or BOC alone.