Molecular underpinnings of cytoskeletal cross-talk.

Cross-talk between the microtubule and actin networks has come under intense scrutiny following the realization that it is crucial for numerous essential processes, ranging from cytokinesis to cell migration. It is becoming increasingly clear that proteins long-considered highly specific for one or the other cytoskeletal system do, in fact, make use of both filament types. How this functional duality of "shared proteins" has evolved and how their coadaptation enables cross-talk at the molecular level remain largely unknown.

Myosin Va's adaptor protein melanophilin enforces track selection on the microtubule and actin networks in vitro.

Pigment organelles, or melanosomes, are transported by kinesin, dynein, and myosin motors. As such, melanosome transport is an excellent model system to study the functional relationship between the microtubule- and actin-based transport systems. In mammalian melanocytes, it is well known that the Rab27a/melanophilin/myosin Va complex mediates actin-based transport in vivo.

Making cytological diagnoses on digital images using the iPath network.

Background: The iPath telemedicine platform Basel is mainly used for histological and cytological consultations, but also serves as a valuable learning tool.

Aim: To study the level of accuracy in making diagnoses based on still images achieved by experienced cytopathologists, to identify limiting factors, and to provide a cytological image series as a learning set.

Method: Images from 167 consecutive cytological specimens of different origin were uploaded on the iPath platform and evaluated by four cytopathologists.

Malignant biliary stenosis: conventional cytology versus DNA image cytometry.

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the utility of image cytometry (ICM)-DNA analysis on cytological brush specimens in improving the sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy for biliary neoplasias.

Methods: A total of 71 patients with 89 samples of biliary tree brushing from a stenosis were included in this prospective study. Conventional cytology (CC) and DNA ploidy using ICM of the brushing were performed.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization in the definitive diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma in effusion cytology.

Background: Distinction of malignant mesothelioma (MM) from reactive mesothelial cells (RM) in effusions is notoriously difficult. The aim of our study was to test chromosomal aberrations detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in the diagnosis of MM in effusion cytology and to explore the potential role of p16, p14, and p15 gene methylation as an alternative mechanism of tumor suppressor gene inactivation.

Methods: Fifty-two effusions of biopsy-proven MM and 28 benign effusions were retrospectively analyzed by multitarget FISH assay for aberrations of chromosomes 3, 7, 17, and 9p21.

The prognostic value of cytology and fluorescence in situ hybridization in the follow-up of nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer after intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy.

Molecular markers reliably predicting failure or success of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) in the treatment of nonmuscle-invasive urothelial bladder cancer (NMIBC) are lacking. The aim of our study was to evaluate the value of cytology and chromosomal aberrations detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in predicting failure to BCG therapy. Sixty-eight patients with NMIBC were prospectively recruited.

[Oral erythroplakia and erythroleukoplakia: red and red-white dysplastic lesions of the oral mucosa--part 2: cytodiagnosis, pathogenesis, therapy, and prognostic aspects].

The second part of the present review article presents and discusses the current literature regarding cytodiagnostic aspects, pathogenesis, therapy, incidence of recurrence, and malignant transformation rate of oral erythroplakia (OE) and oral erythroleukoplakia (OEL). Oral cytopathology, eventually in combination with DNA cytometry, can add valuable information to conventional histopathology, but is not able yet to replace the aforementioned. Numerous molecular genetic variants have been studied in precancerous lesions to gain knowledge about the prognosis of these lesions.

[Oral erythroplakia and erythroleukoplakia: red and red-white dysplastic lesions of the oral mucosa--part 1: epidemiology, etiology, histopathology and differential diagnosis].

Oral erythroplakia (OE) and oral erythroleukoplakia (OEL; synonym: speckled leukoplakia) are working diagnoses for red and red-white lesions of the oral mucosa after exclusion of all other possible diagnoses for lesions with a similar clinical appearance. A good knowledge of oral medicine and possible differential diagnoses of oral mucosal pathologies is mandatory to correctly detect OE and OEL on this exclusion basis. In the present review article in a series of two, epidemiologic data, etiologic factors, possible differential diagnoses, and the histopathologic characteristics of OE and OEL will be presented and discussed regarding the current literature.

[High risk lesions of the oral mucosa--Diagnosis, therapy and follow-up in two cases].

Stomatologic lesions at risk to develop an oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) such as oral leukoplakia, erythroplakia/erythroleukoplakia, or oral lichen planus, need an early detection, diagnosis and a long-term/lifelong follow-up to prevent malignant transformation. In the following report, two patients are presented with oral mucosal lesions, who were referred, diagnosed, treated, and underwent follow-up examinations at the Stomatology Service of the Department of Oral Surgery and Stomatology at the University of Bern. These two cases emphasize the importance of early detection and managment of precancerous lesions or initial stages of OSCC.

[White sponge naevus. Report of a family with respect to histopathologic, cytopathologic and DNA-cytometric aspects].

The white sponge naevus is a rare benign, hereditary autosomal dominant disorder of the mucosa. The oral mucosa is most often affected, but vaginal and anal mucosal surfaces may also be involved. Clinically, a whitish-grey, ragged, and folded surface that has no clear demarcation and appears sponge-like is characteristic, often creating problems in differential diagnosis.

An online quiz uncovers limitations of morphology in equivocal lung cytology.

Background: Equivocal atypia in respiratory cytology can be a diagnostic challenge. In such cases fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) may be used for the analysis of chromosomal aberrations and often allows a reliable distinction of benign and malignant cells.

Methods: An online picture gallery of 30 respiratory cytologic preparations comprising 23 specimens with equivocal cytology as well as 5 positive and 2 negative controls was prepared (www.

Multitarget fluorescence in situ hybridization elucidates equivocal lung cytology.

The category of equivocal respiratory cytology is a common diagnostic dilemma to both cytopathologists and clinicians. Chromosomal alterations are a hallmark of cancer but are rare or absent in benign conditions. The goal of this study was to test the ability of multitarget fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for dissecting equivocal respiratory cytology into reactive and malignant categories.

Cytologically malignant lymphoid pericardial effusion with benign clinical outcome.

Background: Isolated malignant pericardial effusion is a manifestation of primary cardiac lymphoma (PCL) and primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), rare types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). The diagnosis is based on different cytological methods and analyses including DNA-image cytometry (ICM-DNA). DNA-aneuploidy has been reported to be highly specific for malignancy.