Melorheostosis of the Fossa Intercondylaris Femoris - A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Introduction: Melorheostosis is a rare benign bone condition characterized by excessive segmental sclerosis of cortical bone being reminiscent of dripping candle wax. It typically affects the long bones and can cause impingement and nerve compression syndromes that may require surgical treatment.

Case Report: We report the case of a 49-year-old male patient with a 12-month history of the left-sided knee pain and a concomitant limitation of his left knee flexion to 90 degree.

CUX1 Enhances Pancreatic Cancer Formation by Synergizing with KRAS and Inducing MEK/ERK-Dependent Proliferation.

The transcription factor CUX1 has been implicated in either tumor suppression or progression, depending on the cancer entity and the prevalent CUX1 isoform. Previously, we could show that CUX1 acts as an important mediator of tumor cell proliferation and resistance to apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cell lines. However, in vivo evidence for its impact on pancreatic carcinogenesis, isoform-specific effects and downstream signaling cascades are missing.

[Imminent fracture of the tibia due to an osteolytic lesion caused by an intraosseous tenosynovial giant cell tumor : An unusual clinico-histopathological constellation].

The tenosynovial giant cell tumor is a rare disease of the joint mucosa, tendon sheaths and bursa. We report on the rare constellation of an intraosseous manifestation of the proximal tibia of a lower leg stump after Burgess amputation as a result of a locally uncontrollable tenosynovial giant cell tumor of the upper ankle. The curettage of the local findings and operative stabilization through an intramedullary composite osteosynthesis led to an early rehabilitation of the exoprosthesis care with regaining patient autonomy.

[Primary basal cell carcinoma of the caruncle].

Background: Primary basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the caruncle is an extremely rare entity. Overall, only a few cases are described in the literature. With respect to the S2k guidelines on basal cell carcinoma of the skin, the eyelids, eyebrows and periorbital regions are regarded as zones with a high risk of recurrence.

Structural, chemical and mechanical study of TiAlV film on UHMWPE produced by DC magnetron sputtering.

Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE), with a semi-trapezoidal topography, and glass samples were coated with a TiAlV film using magnetron sputtering in order to study its structure, chemical composition and the adhesion film properties on the polymer surfaces. The magnetron sputtering is a PVD technique that depending on the deposited parameter produces a coating with structural, chemical and specific topographic characteristics that increase the electrical, mechanical, optical and biological surface properties of the organic compounds. The quantities of Vanadium (V) and Aluminum (Al) were similar to that of Ti64 alloy.

Cylindrical hot refractory anode vacuum arc (CHRAVA).

We present a study of a novel vacuum arc deposition system composed of a water-cooled aluminum cathode and a hot refractory anode. The plasma of the arc system was diagnosed using a cylindrical electrostatic probe. It was found that the mean electron temperature was ∼2 eV, the plasma density could be varied in the range of 0.

Blistering and Skin Fragility Due to Imatinib Therapy: Loss of Laminin and Collagen IV as a Possible Cause of Cutaneous Basement Membrane Instability.

Imatinib mesylate (Glivec; Novartis AG, Basel, Switzerland) is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor which is used in the treatment of oncologic diseases like chronic myeloid leukemia and gastrointestinal stroma tumor (GIST). Among cutaneous side effects, bullous reactions are rare. The authors describe the case of a 66-year-old woman developing blistering and skin fragility on her hands, foot, lower legs, and back after intake of imatinib for treatment of GIST.

Subjective patient-reported versus objective adherence to subcutaneous interferon β-1a in multiple sclerosis using RebiSmart®: the CORE study.

Background: Patient adherence to treatment is key to preventing the worsening of neurological disability in multiple sclerosis (MS). The RebiSmart® autoinjector facilitates self-administration of subcutaneous interferon β-1a (sc IFN β-1a) and records objective adherence data. The CORE study was undertaken to evaluate the relationship between subjectively reported and objective adherence of MS patients using RebiSmart® in Switzerland and explore variables associated with objective adherence.

Intraepidermal Nerve Fiber Density: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Relevance in the Management of Chronic Pruritus: a Review.

In recent years, measurement of the intraepidermal nerve fiber (IENF) density has gained relevance in the diagnostics of chronic pruritus. This method allows the objectification and quantification of a small-fiber neuropathy, which may manifest clinically with pruritus, pain or dysesthetic sensory symptoms, such as burning, stinging and tingling sensations or numbness. Upon suspicion of a small-fiber neuropathy as a cause for chronic pruritus, targeted diagnostic procedures are essential for the early detection of the neuroanatomical changes.

[Small fiber neuropathy as a possible cause for chronic pruritus].

Background: Small fiber neuropathy arises from injury of small C and Aδ fibers and leads to pruritus as well as positive (pain, burning, tingling or stinging sensation) and negative neurological (numbness) symptoms.

Objectives: To give an overview on small fiber neuropathy as a cause for chronic pruritus, the diagnostic approach to this condition, and therapeutic options.

Materials And Methods: A literature search using the terms "small fiber neuropathy", "pruritus", "itch", and "pain" was performed.

Few layers graphene as thermally activated optical modulator in the visible-near IR spectral range.

We report the temperature modulation of the optical transmittance of a few layers of graphene (FLG). The FLG was heated either by the Joule effect of the current flowing between coplanar electrodes or by the absorption of a continuous-wave 532 nm laser. The optical signals used to evaluate the modulation of the FLG were at 633, 975, and 1550 nm; the last wavelengths are commonly used in optical communications.

Symmetric nested complexes of fullerenes.

Large fullerenes such as C180 and C116 can be used as hosts for other molecules of the same family. Based on this idea, two complexes were designed, one in which C180 accepts a C60 molecule as a guest and the other in which C20 was placed inside C116. The behavior of these new assemblies was closer to that of a large endohedral complex rather than onion-like.

Agreeableness and Self-Consciousness as Predictors of Induced Scratching and Itch in Patients with Psoriasis.

Background: Psoriasis (PS) is a frequent skin disease accompanied by itch, a symptom that has been shown to be related to depression and self-consciousness. PS patients describe themselves as more agreeable than healthy controls (HC), a trait that might be protective against impulsive scratching.

Purpose: This study is the first to analyze the relationship between agreeableness and induced scratching and between depression, self-consciousness, and induced itch in PS patients.

Loss of PBRM1 expression is associated with renal cell carcinoma progression.

Although von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor gene alterations dominate the genetic landscape of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), recent studies have identified new ccRCC genes, including SETD2, KDM6A, KDM5C, BAP1 and PBRM1. Strikingly, all these genes fall into a category of histone/chromatin regulators. Polybromo-1 (PBRM1) is the second most frequently mutated gene after VHL; however, the clinical relevance of its loss in ccRCC has not yet been reported.

Long-term success rate after surgical treatment of anorectal and rectovaginal fistulas in Crohn's disease.

Background: Due to the considerable variety in the clinical presentation of anorectal and rectovaginal fistulas in Crohn's disease, data on treatment results for each type of fistula are limited. The aim of this study was to summarize the results after surgical treatment of such fistulas in a large consecutive series of patients.

Patients And Methods: All patients with anorectal or rectovaginal fistula due to Crohn's disease requiring surgery in our institution between 1991 and 2001 were extracted from a prospective database.

Characterization of allergens from deer: cross-reactivity with allergens from cow dander.

Background: Animal hair/dander proteins frequently cause Type I hypersensitivities. Species-specific and broadly cross-reacting allergens have been characterized in the past.

Methods: Sera from eight individuals suffering from symptoms due to exposure to deer and deer-derived products were investigated by immunoblotting.

Major cat and dog allergens share IgE epitopes.

Background: Patients allergic to cats and dogs frequently display IgE reactivity against allergens from different animals, suggesting a cross-sensitization to common allergenic determinants. Although albumins have been recognized as relevant cross-reactive allergens, little is known regarding cross-reactive epitopes of the major cat and dog allergens.

Objective: In this study, sera from patients allergic to cats and/or dogs were used to investigate the presence of common IgE epitopes among the major cat and dog allergens.

IgE cross-reactivities against albumins in patients allergic to animals.

Background: Type I allergic symptoms and severe asthma in particular are frequently caused by animal hair/dander proteins, among which albumins are possible cross-sensitizing allergenic components.

Methods: The significance and degree of IgE-cross-reactivities against various albumins were studied in a representative number (n = 200) of patients allergic to animals with hair/dander extracts, purified albumins from different animals, and a recombinant dog albumin fragment expressed in lysogenic Escherichia coli Y1089 and purified as a beta-galactosidase fusion protein.

Results: Despite a high degree of sequence homology among different albumins, a remarkable variability of IgE cross-reactivities was observed, indicating that some patients were sensitized preferentially against certain albumins.

Molecular characterization of dog albumin as a cross-reactive allergen.

Indoor allergens comprise a group of allergenic proteins that are commonly derived from house dust mite and cat and dog dander. In addition to the two major dog allergens (molecular weights: 19 and 23 kd), dog albumin represents an important allergen for up to 35% of patients who are allergic to dogs. In IgE immunoblot inhibition studies and histamine release tests it has been demonstrated that patients who react to dog albumin exhibit IgE reactivity with purified albumins from cat, mouse, chicken, and rat.