Mast Cell Leukemia: An Update with a Practical Review.

Mast cell leukemia (MCL) is the leukemic form of SM with at least 20% mostly immature mast cells on bone marrow aspirate. MCL may develop de novo, in the absence of a prior SM, or it may represent a progression from a previous SM. MCL may be sub-divided into the more frequent, aggressive acute form with signs of organ damage (C-findings) and the chronic form lacking C-findings and presenting a more stable course, although over time, progression to acute MCL is common.

How to Treat Algodystrophy and Rheumatic Comorbidity in Myelofibrosis: Three Case Reports.

Algodystrophy or complex regional pain syndrome is a chronic pain condition characterized by hyperalgesia and allodynia. Patients with algodystrophy present an amplified and persistent activation of the innate immune system, with subsequent proliferation of keratinocytes and release of proinflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Chronic inflammation and increased levels of cytokines are observed also in Ph-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms, including polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, and primary myelofibrosis.

Alterations of MEN1 and E-cadherin/β-catenin complex in sporadic pulmonary carcinoids.

Pulmonary carcinoids, distinct in typical and atypical, represent 2-5% of all primary lung tumors. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular alterations correlated with the development of this form of neoplasms. A collection of 38 paraffin-embedded apparently sporadic carcinoids was investigated, through a combined study, for protein expression/localization of menin, p53, β-catenin and E-cadherin and for mutational analysis of the MEN1, TP53 and CTNNB1 genes.

Leishmania life cycle images in the cutaneous cytologic smear of an immunocompetent patient.

Cutaneous leishmania life cycle images on cytology smears are very rare. We report herein a gallery of cytologic images from a case of sporadic cutaneous leishmaniasis in a 61 year old man presenting with ulcerative skin lesion.

The prostate-associated lymphoid tissue (PALT) is linked to the expression of homing chemokines CXCL13 and CCL21.

Background: The genitourinary tract is regarded as part of the mucosal immune system. However, the structural and functional aspects of the human prostate-associated lymphoid tissue (PALT) have never been extensively explored.

Methods: This article describes our investigation of this issue by means of immunohistological, confocal, and ultrastructural examination of the normal human prostate.