Potential pathogenetic role of Th17, Th0, and Th2 cells in erosive and reticular oral lichen planus.

Objectives: The role of Th17 cells and associated cytokines was investigated in oral lichen planus.

Material And Methods: 14 consecutive patients with oral lichen planus were investigated. For biological studies, tissues were taken from reticular or erosive lesions and from normal oral mucosa (controls) of the same patient.

Oral linear epidermal nevus: a review of the literature and report of two new cases.

Linear epidermal nevus (LEN) is a sporadic hamartomatous lesion of the skin due to the proliferation of clones of embryonic ectodermal cells, which are arranged according to a typical linear configuration known as Blaschko's lines. Oral involvement of LEN is very rare and few cases have been reported in the medical literature. We report two new cases of LEN with exclusive oral involvement, which presented with the typical unilateral or midline distribution.

How early is early laparoscopic treatment of acute cholecystitis?

Background: Despite the well-accepted success of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in elective treatment of symptomatic cholelithiasis, the efficacy and timing of this technique has been subject to some debate in the setting of acute cholecystitis. This study was undertaken to evaluate our institution's experience with early cholecystectomy as a safe, effective treatment of acute cholecystitis.

Methods: Charts of all patients who had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy for the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis were reviewed.

Energy requirements in Alzheimer's disease patients.

Weight loss in Alzheimer's patients has been observed by many clinicians and reported in the international geriatric literature. It represents a puzzling challenge for clinicians and researchers, and it is an important issue for caregivers and nursing home staff concerned with state and federal requirements for nutrition and weight monitoring. Using indirect calorimetry, we studied the resting energy expenditure of 21 elderly patients; 12 were residing in a community setting, and 9 were institutionalized.