The analysis of tyrosinase-specific mRNA in blood samples of melanoma patients by RT-PCR is not a useful test for metastatic tumor progression.

Reverse transcription (RT) of the tyrosinase mRNA and specific cDNA amplification by nested polymerase chain reactin (PCR) have been reported to facilitate the early detection of circulating tumor cells in melanoma patients. The significance and practical value of this procedure for the diagnosis of tumor dissemination in melanoma patients are unclear. In the current study we analyzed peripheral blood samples of 65 melanoma patients of different clinical stages for the presence of tyrosinase mRNA by RT-PCR using nested oligonucleotide primers specific for tyrosinase cDNA.

Inflammatory mediators potentiate pain induced by experimental tissue acidosis.

Electrophysiological evidence from cutaneous nociceptors suggested a synergism between excitatory actions of inflammatory mediators (IM) and low pH. In human skin it is possible to induce constant ongoing pain with continuous infusion of acid buffer. This method was used to study the interaction with mediators of inflammation psychophysiologically.

[Epithelioid cell histiocytoma].

We report on seven examples of this rare, only recently described benign tumor, which presented clinically as solitary elevated nodules on the lower (n = 5) and upper (n = 2) extremity, measuring between 0.6 and 1.1 cm in diameter.

Interkeratinocyte adherens junctions: immunocytochemical visualization of cell-cell junctional structures, distinct from desmosomes, in human epidermis.

Vinculin and beta-catenin are intracellular attachment proteins linking transmembrane adhesion molecules (E-cadherin) to the actin microfilament cytoskeleton, thus participating in formation of cell-cell adherens junctions, or zonulae adherentes. This type of junction was only recently described in human epidermis due to the imprecise morphological criteria for its recognition. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the expression of the zonula adherens-associated proteins vinculin, beta-catenin, E-cadherin, and actin, on the one hand, and the presence of electron microscopically discernable structures in normal human epidermis on the other.

Dose-dependent competitive block by topical acetylsalicylic and salicylic acid of low pH-induced cutaneous pain.

In a human acid pain model, which uses continuous intradermal pressure infusion of a phosphate-buffered solution (pH 5.2) to induce localized non-adapting pain, the flow was adjusted to result in constant pain ratings of about 20% or 50% on a visual analog scale (VAS). Six volunteers in each group participated in 4 different placebo-controlled double-blind cross-over studies to measure rapidly evolving cutaneous analgesia from topically applied new ointment formulations of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and salicylic acid (SA) as well as of commercial ibuprofen and benzocain creams.

Diltiazem blocks the PH-induced excitation of rat nociceptors together with their mechanical and electrical excitability in vitro.

1. The effect of the calcium channel antagonist diltiazem on pH-induced sustained nociceptor excitation was investigated in a rat skin-saphenous nerve preparation, in vitro, where receptive fields of identified and isolated single fibers were superfused at the corium side with controlled solutions to assess their chemosensitivity. 2.

Topical acetylsalicylic, salicylic acid and indomethacin suppress pain from experimental tissue acidosis in human skin.

Topically applied acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), salicylic acid (SA) and indomethacin were tested in an experimental pain model that provides direct nociceptor excitation through cutaneous tissue acidosis. In 30 volunteers, sustained burning pain was produced in the palmar forearm through a continuous intradermal pressure infusion of a phosphate-buffered isotonic solution (pH 5.2).

Cutaneous angiomyxoma: a benign neoplasm distinct from cutaneous focal mucinosis.

We describe a cutaneous angiomyxoma on the head of a 38-year-old man without evidence of Carney's complex. Complete excision of the tumor appeared to be curative. Histologic examination revealed fibroblast-like cells embedded in a well-demarcated, lobulate, mucinous, and vascularized stroma with a delicate reticulin network.

[Sclerotic fibroma].

The clinical and histological diagnosis of sclerotic fibroma is important because of its potential association with Cowden's syndrome. Despite its distinctive histological appearance the lesion is often mis-diagnosed. We therefore present five of our own cases (2F, 3M) in which the tumor was located on the head (n = 2), arm (n = 2) and leg (n = 1), respectively.

Progressive increase of CD7- T cells in human blood lymphocytes with ageing.

CD7 is one of the major surface antigens expressed very early during T cell ontogeny. Lack of CD7 expression on mature T cells is regarded as a classical feature of malignant T cells in certain forms of cutaneous T cell lymphoma. Previously, we identified a CD7- subset of peripheral blood T lymphocytes in normal human individuals.

Antipsoriatic effect of fumaric acid derivatives. Results of a multicenter double-blind study in 100 patients.

Background: Psoriasis vulgaris may benefit from treatment with fumaric acid and/or its derivatives; however, because different preparations have been used, results have been contradictory and difficult to interpret.

Objective: The purpose of this clinical trial was to evaluate the therapeutic value of fumaric acid derivatives.

Methods: A randomized double-blind study was carried out in patients with psoriasis, comparing a well-characterized formulation of fumaric acid derivatives with placebo.

[Pemphigus chronicus benignus familiaris (Hailey-Hailey disease) and bipolar affective disease in 3 members of a family].

We report on three family members suffering from both autosomal dominant Hailey-Hailey disease and bipolar affective disorder. As molecular biology techniques have made the localization of genes causing simple Mendelian traits possible as a routine task, the gene for Hailey-Hailey disease will presumably be localized in the foreseeable future. The Hailey-Hailey gene and its chromosomal surrounding will then be a region of interest for linkage studies in bipolar affective disorder.

CD7-negative helper T cells accumulate in inflammatory skin lesions.

Recently, we identified a particular T-cell subset in the peripheral blood of normal individuals that lack CD7 expression. In this study we determined the portion of CD7- T cells in the peripheral blood and skin of patients with various inflammatory skin diseases. We found that skin-infiltrating lymphocytes isolated from different benign and malignant skin lesions (n = 20) contain a high portion of CD7- helper T cells, whereas the number of CD7- T cells in the peripheral blood was not altered compared to healthy controls.

Cultured autologous keratinocytes in fibrin glue suspension, exclusively and combined with STS-allograft (preliminary clinical and histological report of a new technique).

The use of cultured epidermal cell sheets has become a recognized method for the coverage of extensive burns. The disadvantages are a long time-lag until the cells are available, the fragility and difficult handling of the grafts, an unpredictable 'take' and extremely high costs. In three patients with deep partial and full skin thickness burns we have applied cultured autologous keratinocytes suspended in fibrin glue.

Induction of nuclear contour irregularity during T-cell activation via the T-cell receptor/CD3 complex and CD2 antigens in the presence of phorbol esters.

To determine whether specific T-cell activation pathways could produce nuclear contour irregularity in normal human lymphocytes, purified T cells were stimulated in vitro and subsequently analyzed by electron microscopy. The degree of nuclear contour irregularity was determined with the use of a computerized planimeter. Stimulation via the T-cell receptor (TCR)/CD3 complex using anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies induced Sézary-like morphology (nuclear contour indices > 6.

Talin: adherens junction protein is localized at the epidermal-dermal interface in skin.

The interaction between cells of the epidermis and the basal lamina is important for the integrity of the skin. Several hereditary and acquired diseases show changes at the dermal-epidermal interface due to loss of adhesion between basal cells and the basement membrane. The structures mediating this interaction are hemidesmosomes, which have been extensively characterized by biochemical, molecular biologic, and morphologic techniques.

Localization of adducin in epidermis.

On the cytoplasmic side of the plasma membrane of erythrocytes there is a dense protein filament matrix that maintains the shape of the cells. The main constituents of this system, actin and spectrin, which have also been detected in keratinocytes and fibroblasts, are known to be linked in erythrocytes in a network structure by additional proteins such as band 4.1 and adducin.

Systemic interferon gamma treatment in severe atopic dermatitis.

Background: Recent results suggest decreased interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) but high interleukin 4 (IL-4) production in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). Because the relative activities of IL-4 and IFN-gamma seem to regulate the amplitude of the IgE response we suggested a role for IFN-gamma in the treatment of AD.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of systemic IFN-gamma treatment in patients with severe AD.