Fibrosis-Associated Signaling Molecules Are Differentially Expressed in Palmar Connective Tissues of Patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Dupuytren's Disease.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and Dupuytren's disease (DD) are fibrotic conditions that affect the connective tissue of the hand and limit its functionality. The exact molecular mechanism underlying the fibrosis is unknown, and only some profibrotic factors have been investigated. In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed the expression of FGF signaling pathway molecules associated with fibrotic changes in the palmar fascia and the flexor retinaculum of 15 CTS patients and both clinically affected and unaffected palmar fascia of 15 DD patients, using immunofluorescence techniques.

The Distribution of Innervation and Immune Cell Infiltration Is Different in Genital and Extragenital Variants of Lichen Sclerosus.

Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a progressive skin disease that is characterized by chronic inflammation of either genital or extragenital skin, and it disproportionately affects women. We analyzed the distribution of nerve fibers, vanilloid receptors, cell proliferation, mast cells and macrophages in genital and extragenital LS samples, as well as in healthy skin, by using immunohistochemistry. The total amount of intraepidermal nerve fibers was lower in LS samples compared to healthy controls, while the total amount of subepidermal nerve fibers and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) positive fibers was higher in genital LS samples compared to both extragenital LS and healthy controls.

Colorectal cancer in the Split-Dalmatia County.

Colorectal cancer was the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the Split-Dalmatia County during the 1993-2005 period. The primary aim of this study was to analyze recent trends in the mortality caused by colorectal cancer in the Split-Dalmatia County. Secondly, the aim was also to analyze data on colorectal cancer patients operated on at Split University Hospital Center according to sex, age, localization of cancer and Dukes staging, in the period from January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2004.