Bioelectronic modulation of carotid sinus nerve activity in the rat: a potential therapeutic approach for type 2 diabetes.

Aims/hypothesis: A new class of treatments termed bioelectronic medicines are now emerging that aim to target individual nerve fibres or specific brain circuits in pathological conditions to repair lost function and reinstate a healthy balance. Carotid sinus nerve (CSN) denervation has been shown to improve glucose homeostasis in insulin-resistant and glucose-intolerant rats; however, these positive effects from surgery appear to diminish over time and are heavily caveated by the severe adverse effects associated with permanent loss of chemosensory function. Herein we characterise the ability of a novel bioelectronic application, classified as kilohertz frequency alternating current (KHFAC) modulation, to suppress neural signals within the CSN of rodents.

Fraud and deceit in medical research.

Fraud and deceit in medical research is a serious issue that may be more prevalent than currently thought. This article examines the extent and history of medical research fraud and looks at the current and future mechanisms for detection and prevention.

Cytokeratins in primary cutaneous amyloidosis.

The expression of keratins was investigated immunohistochemically on formalin-fixed and snap-frozen primary cutaneous amyloidosis tissue with a panel of monospecific and polyspecific antikeratin antibodies, with recognized keratins K1, K5, K6, K7, K8, K10, K14, K16, K17, K18 and K19. Amyloid deposits in frozen sections of seven cases of macular amyloidosis and lichen amyloidosus always reacted with antibodies LP34 (labelling K5, K6 and K18), MNF 116 (labelling K5, K6, K8, K10, K17 and K18), and RCK 102 (labelling K5 and K8); frozen sections in one case each of the seven cases also reacted with antibodies LL001 (labelling K14), LP1K (labelling K7 and K17), and LP2K (labelling K19). In formalin-fixed sections of 13 cases of macular amyloidosis and lichen amyloidosus, amyloid deposits were labelled with LP34 in three sections, MNF 116 in four sections, LL020 (labelling keratins K5 and K6) in one section, and LP2K in two sections.

Excision of selected skin tumours using Mohs' micrographic surgery with horizontal paraffin-embedded sections.

Histological interpretation of frozen sections made during Mohs' micrographic surgery may be difficult, depending on the morphological and staining characteristics of the tumour and on the nature of the associated inflammatory infiltrate. We have employed an adaptation of micrographic surgery in which horizontal, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections were used to improve histological assessment in the excision of 18 non-melanoma skin tumours in which frozen sections had been or were likely to be unsatisfactory. We describe our experience of this method in the management of squamous cell carcinomas (11), extramammary Paget's disease (two), microcystic adnexal cell carcinomas (two), dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (two), and primary cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma (Merkel cell carcinoma) (one).

Basal cell carcinoma: rapid techniques using cytokeratin markers to assist treatment by micrographic (Mohs') surgery.

In micrographic (Mohs') surgery, routine haematoxylin and eosin stains may present difficulties in interpretation of infiltrative (morphoeic) basal cell carcinoma. To supplement these routine stains rapid immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescence techniques are described using cytokeratin markers Dako LP34, MNF 116 or Novocastra NCL-Pan CK on frozen sections to help in the histological evaluation of these tumours.

Desmoplastic malignant melanoma. An immunocytochemical study of 25 cases.

Using a panel of seven cell markers, we studied the value of immunocytochemical labelling in the histological diagnosis of desmoplastic malignant melanoma. Sections from routine formalin-fixed tissue of 45 surgical specimens were obtained from 25 cases of malignant melanoma that showed well-marked desmoplastic or neurotropic features. Routinely stained sections (Haematoxylin- and -eosin and melanin stains) were compared with the following panel of seven antibodies: S-100, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), vimentin, factor XIIIa (FXIIIa), desmin and the newer, supposedly more specific antimelanoma antibodies HMB45 and NKIC3.

Micrographically controlled excision (Mohs' surgery) of basal cell carcinoma around the eye. Combined dermatological surgical clearance and oculoplastic surgical repair.

Periorbital infiltrative basal cell carcinomas are notoriously difficult to treat, particularly those around the medial canthus. Micrographically controlled excision with horizontal frozen sections (Mohs' surgery) allows for clearance of the tumour with minimal loss of normal tissue. Once the tumour has been completely removed, the defect can be repaired by the oculoplastic surgeon for the best functional and cosmetic result.

Immunofluorescence studies in primary localized cutaneous amyloidosis.

Immunofluorescence studies were carried out on 47 patients with primary localized cutaneous amyloidosis. The majority had the macular, maculopapular or papular forms of lichen amyloidosus, although 3 patients had the nodular type. All biopsies fluoresced positively for immunoglobulins or complement, particularly IgM and C3.

Immunopathological studies in herpes gestationis.

Four cases of herpes gestationis are reported and the immunopathological findings in these patients described. Complement deposition at the basement membrane zone of the patients' peri-bullous skin was seen in all patients, immunoglobulin deposition in two. A circulating factor capable of fixing complement on the basement membrane zone of normal human skin was present in three patients.

The erythrasma microorganism in situ: studies using the skin surface biopsy technique.

The skin surface biopsy technique has been used to investigate the erythrasma organism in situ in the stratum corneum in 11 patients. Staining by PAS and Gram stain showed the presence of a large number of organisms arranged haphazardly in some areas and in microcolonies in others. With the scanning electron microscope it was possible to see that smooth filamentous chains of microorganisms had penetrated horn cells and caused disturbance of the surface structure of these cells.