Diagnostic value of microtubule-associated protein-2 in Merkel cell carcinoma.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive cutaneous carcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation and a propensity for early spread to regional lymph nodes. Since surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment of MCC, differentiation of MCC from malignant lymphoma, metastatic small cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma is very important and is sometimes challenging with routine histologic examination. Immunohistochemical studies may be required to differentiate MCC from other primary and metastatic skin neoplasms.

Differentiation of immunostimulatory stem-cell- and monocyte-derived dendritic cells involves maturation of intracellular compartments responsible for antigen presentation and secretion.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are important for the induction of primary T-cell responses and may serve as "biologic adjuvants" in therapeutic protocols. However, given the "plasticity" of this antigen-presenting cell, it remains unclear which DC type (source, subtype, and stage of differentiation) should be applied clinically. To provide additional insight in this selection process, we have, for the first time, analyzed the in vitro differentiation of CD34(+) precursor-derived and monocyte-derived DCs for ultrastructure, phenotype, and function.

Clinicopathologic evaluation of the Mueller muscle in thyroid-associated orbitopathy.

Purpose: To study the histopathologic features of the Mueller muscle in chronic eyelid retraction caused by thyroid-associated orbitopathy. To investigate if the degree of eyelid retraction correlates with any histopathologic finding.

Methods: A prospective case series of 23 consecutive patients with thyroid-associated orbitopathy was studied.

Force Modulation Elasticity Mapping of Plastic-embedded, Thin-sectioned Skeletal Muscle.

We have been researching the capability of atomic force microscopy to reveal nontopographic properties of tissue embedded in plastic and sectioned with standard electron microscopic techniques. We present topography and elasticity maps of plastic-embedded, thin sections of muscle tissue. The images show topography correlated with the normal repeating structure of the sarcomere.