Possible implication of local immune response in Darier's disease: an immunohistochemical characterization of lesional inflammatory infiltrate.

Cell-mediated immunity is considered to be normal in Darier's Disease (DD), an inherited skin disorder complicated by skin infections. To date, there are no investigations on the local inflammatory infiltrate in DD skin lesions. In this immunohistochemical study we characterized and quantified it, making comparisons with two other inflammatory skin disorders, that is, pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and lichen ruber planus (LRP), and with the normal skin (NSk).

Beclin 1 and LC3 autophagic gene expression in cutaneous melanocytic lesions.

Beclin 1 and LC3 autophagic genes are altered in several human cancer types. This study was designed to assess the expression of Beclin 1 and LC3 in cutaneous melanocytic lesions, in which they have not yet been investigated. In melanoma, we correlated their expression with conventional histopathologic prognostic factors.

Nucleolin protein expression in cutaneous melanocytic lesions.

Background: Nucleolin is a major nucleolar argyrophilic protein involved in carcinogenesis. There are only few studies on its tissue expression in human cancer and none in melanoma. We aimed at exploring this protein and its prognostic impact in cutaneous melanocytic lesions.

Fractal analysis of fluoroangiographic patterns in anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy and optic neuritis: a pilot study.

Background: To evaluate by means of fractal analysis the vascular pattern of the optic nerve head obtained by fluorescein angiogram, in non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION) and optic neuritis (ON).

Methods: Twenty-nine patients at the Department of Ophthalmology of the University of Siena, diagnosed as having either NAION or ON by clinical and instrumental criteria, were prospectively subjected to fractal analysis: 11 patients with NAION and 18 patients with ON. In the ON group, 12 patients showed optic disc oedema, whereas six patients showed no optic disc oedema.

Utility of tumour-infiltrating CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T cell evaluation in predicting local recurrence in vertical growth phase cutaneous melanoma.

Tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) represent the local immune response to cancer, however, their correlation with tumour behaviour is not unanimously considered in the literature. Most studies have not characterized TILs, that are known to comprise distinct subsets, bearing different roles in the complex tumour microenvironment. Characterization of patient lymphocytes has been mainly performed in peripheral blood, that is not always representative of the local immune status.

Protein and mRNA expression of autophagy gene Beclin 1 in human brain tumours.

Beclin 1 is is an autophagy gene, the role of which as a tumour suppressor has recently been recognized in a few studies. We examined the expression of Beclin 1 protein in 212 primary human brain tumours, including 97 high-grade glial tumours, 29 low-grade glial tumours, 4 grade III meningiomas, 19 grade II meningiomas, 52 grade I meningiomas, and 11 medulloblastomas. In 94 cases, including 56 glial tumours, 35 meningiomas, and 3 medulloblastomas we also assessed Beclin 1 mRNA expression by real-time RT-PCR.

Routine assessment of hormonal receptor and her-2/neu status underscores the need for more therapeutic targets in Kenyan women with breast cancer.

Objective: To report the expression of estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors and human epidermal growth factor receptor (Her-2/neu) in 158 Kenyan women with breast cancer and correlation with other prognostic indicators in this high-risk group. This study stressed the importance of routine assessment of the steroid receptors and Her-2/neu as a mode of therapeutic selection of patients for antihormonal or targeting monoclonal antibody (Herceptin) therapy, directed at the juxtamembrane domain of Her-2/neu protein in the developing countries such as Kenya.

Study Design: The study population consisted of 158 female patients with histologically confirmed breast carcinoma seen at the pathology department of The Nairobi Hospital.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor protein and mRNA expression in cutaneous melanocytic tumours.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a widely expressed cytokine involved in various biological processes. Although MIF's functions in cancer have not been completely elucidated, its expression has usually been correlated with tumour progression and aggressiveness, and it is currently discussed as a new promising target for novel therapies. Recent studies seem to confirm its active role in melanoma pathobiology; however, its expression has not yet been extensively studied in melanocytic tumours.

In situ detection of telomeres by fluorescence in situ hybridization and telomerase activity in glioblastoma multiforme: correlation with p53 status, EGFR, c-myc, MIB1, and Topoisomerase IIalpha protein expression.

Aberrations of genes/proteins regulating cell cycle and growth, increased proliferation and telomerase activity (TA) are documentable in glioblastoma multiforme. TA is more frequently detectable in secondary glioblastoma, which is also characterized by p53 mutation/overexpression. Discordant telomere (Te) length values have been reported in glioblastomas with and without TA.

Automated diagnosis of pigmented skin lesions.

Since advanced melanoma remains practically incurable, early detection is an important step toward a reduction in mortality. High expectations are entertained for a technique known as dermoscopy or epiluminescence light microscopy; however, evaluation of pigmented skin lesions by this method is often extremely complex and subjective. To obviate the problem of qualitative interpretation, methods based on mathematical analysis of pigmented skin lesions, such as digital dermoscopy analysis, have been developed.