Effects of tamoxifen on normal human dermal fibroblasts.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of tamoxifen on the growth and autocrine growth factor production of human dermal fibroblasts from the face.

Methods: In vitro study of normal adult dermal fibroblast cells developed from surgical specimens in a serum-free model. Cell cultures were exposed to 5-, 8-, 12-, 16-, and 50-microg/mL concentrations of tamoxifen solution.

Identification of c-myc responsive genes using rat cDNA microarray.

c-Myc functions through direct activation or repression of transcription. Using cDNA microarray analysis, we have identified c-Myc-responsive genes by comparing gene expression profiles between c-myc null and c-myc wild-type rat fibroblast cells and between c-myc null and c-myc null cells reconstituted with c-myc. From a panel of 4400 cDNA elements, we found 198 genes responsive to c-myc when comparing wild-type or reconstituted cells with the null cells.

Haemangioma in a cervical lymph node.

Haemangiomas of the head and neck are mainly cutaneous or mucosal; rarely, they may be found in bone or soft tissue. Haemangiomas of lymph nodes are extremely rare; here we present such a case in a cervical lymph node. This is, to the best of our knowledge, only the second report of such an entity.

Rare congenital syndrome associated with profound hearing loss.

In this communication, we describe the otologic and audiometric findings of a rare congenital syndrome associated with profound hearing loss. We offer a hypothesis of the possible inner ear pathologic condition. The major anomalies of this syndrome represent features of an ectodermal dysplasia syndrome.