Serological landscape of cytokines in cutaneous melanoma.

Background: To date, serological markers to monitor melanoma progression and response to therapy are lacking. In this context cytokines appear to be promising biomarkers of the disease.

Objective: To compare cytokine and chemokine levels in melanoma patients and in healthy controls and to assess possible variations according to melanoma stage.

A possible role for CD8+ T lymphocytes in the cell-mediated pathogenesis of pemphigus vulgaris.

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune blistering disease whose pathogenesis involves both humoral and cell-mediated immune response. Though the pathogenetic role of autoantibodies directed against desmoglein 3 is certain, a number of other factors have been suggested to determine acantholysis in PV. In this study we examined the possible role of CD8+ T cells in the development of acantholysis by a passive transfer of PV autoantibodies using CD8 deficient mice, and we also studied the inflammatory infiltrate of PV skin lesions by immunohistochemical staining.

Skin toxicity from glyphosate-surfactant formulation.

Glyphosate (N-[phosphonomethyl]glycine) is a nonselective herbicide used in agriculture as a foliage spray for the control and the destruction of herbaceous plants. Adverse skin reactions due to contact with this compound have been rarely described. We report a case of a 78-year-old woman presenting with extensive chemical burns on her trunk and legs caused by accidental contact with a glyphosate-surfactant formulation.

Urokinase plasminogen activator mRNA is induced by IL-1alpha and TNF-alpha in in vitro acantholysis.

The role of urokinase type plasminogen activator (uPA) has been well documented in the pathogenesis of pemphigus vulgaris (PV). Activation of plasminogen into active serine protease plasmin initiates extracellular proteolysis leading to acantholysis but the mechanisms underlying this process are not clearly understood. We have previously shown that keratinocyte derived cytokines IL-1alpha and TNF-alpha are involved in PV-induced acantholysis.

Spreading of epithelial cells on machined and sandblasted titanium surfaces: an in vitro study.

Background: The purpose of this investigation was to determine the influence of the surface structure of dental implants on epithelial cell spreading and growth in vitro. Cell morphology on machined and sandblasted titanium surfaces was investigated.

Methods: A total of 10 machined and 10 sandblasted discs and 10 glass coverslips were used for the present study.

A minimal form of Proteus syndrome presenting with macrodactyly and hand hyperplasia.

Proteus syndrome is a rare congenital disorder characterized by progressive course and great variability of clinical presentation with partial gigantism of extremities, hemihyperplasia with macrocephaly, epidermal nevus, mesodermal hamartomas and the presence of peculiar cerebriform masses on the palms/soles. Many atypical cases have been reported and this is probably due to the mosaicism of the genetic disorder displaying different clinical features. We describe a patient with an extremely mild form of Proteus syndrome presenting macrodactyly and hyperplasia of one hand which was misdiagnosed until the age of 33 years.