A review of psychocutaneous disorders from a psychotherapeutic perspective-Toolkit for the dermatologist.

Introduction: The study of psychocutaneous disorders requires a multidisciplinary approach. It is of paramount importance that dermatologists understand the psychiatric premise for these disorders. Mental health professionals can also benefit from a better understanding of the dermatologic manifestations of psychiatric disorders they may encounter in their practice.

Effect of Radio-Chemotherapy on PD-L1 Immunohistochemical Expression in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background: Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) checkpoint inhibitors represent a mainstay of therapy in head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC). However, little is known about the influence of combined therapy on PD-L1 expression. The study aims to gather evidence on this topic.

Affinity and activity profiling of unichiral 8-substituted 1,4-benzodioxane analogues of WB4101 reveals a potent and selective α1B-adrenoceptor antagonist.

Unichiral 8-substituted analogues of 2-[(2-(2,6-dimethoxyphenoxy)ethyl)aminomethyl]-1,4-benzodioxane (WB4101) were synthesized and tested for binding affinity at cloned human α(1a)-, α(1b)-and α(1d)-adrenoreceptor (α(1a)-, α(1b)-and α(1d)-AR) and at native rat 5-HT(1A) receptor and for antagonist affinity at α(1A)-, α(1B)-and α(1D)-AR and at α(2A/D)-AR. Among the selected 8-substituents, namely fluorine, chlorine, methoxyl and hydroxyl, only the last caused significant decrease of α(1) binding affinity in comparison with the lead compound. Functional tests on the S isomers confirmed the detrimental effect of OH positioned in proximity to benzodioxane O(1).

In situ identification of CD44+/CD24- cancer cells in primary human breast carcinomas.

Breast cancer cells with the CD44+/CD24- phenotype have been reported to be tumourigenic due to their enhanced capacity for cancer development and their self-renewal potential. The identification of human tumourigenic breast cancer cells in surgical samples has recently received increased attention due to the implications for prognosis and treatment, although limitations exist in the interpretation of these studies. To better identify the CD44+/CD24- cells in routine surgical specimens, 56 primary breast carcinoma cases were analysed by immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy, and the results were compared using flow cytometry analysis to correlate the amount and distribution of the CD44+/CD24- population with clinicopathological features.

Breast-like vulvar lesion with concurrent breast cancer: a case report and critical literature review.

In the current report, we describe an intriguing case of a breast-like cancer lesion located in the vulvar region in a woman lacking a remarkable past medical or family history of breast cancer but with concurrent breast cancer. Consequently, a differential diagnosis between a primary synchronous breast and vulvar cancer or a metastatic breast carcinoma to the vulva is a key point in terms of the clinical approach. In a review of the literature, 39 cases of breast-like cancer lesion have been described: 23 cases of primary infiltrating carcinoma of the vulva and 16 cases of vulvar metastases of breast carcinoma.

Caveolin-1 expression in human breast lobular cancer progression.

Caveolin-1 is the principal structural protein of caveolae, and caveolin-1 gene plays a role as a tumour suppressor gene in human mammary cancer-derived cells. However, limited data are available concerning caveolin-1 expression in human breast cancer tissue. We evaluated caveolin-1 expression in normal lobular epithelial cells and in the whole human lobular neoplasia spectrum disease, with the aim to examine differences of caveolin-1 expression in human lobular neoplasia progression.

The epidermal growth factor receptor ligand amphiregulin participates in the development of mouse liver fibrosis.

Unlabelled: The hepatic wound-healing response to chronic noxious stimuli may lead to liver fibrosis, a condition characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix. Fibrogenic cells, including hepatic stellate cells and myofibroblasts, are activated in response to a variety of cytokines, growth factors, and inflammatory mediators. The involvement of members of the epidermal growth factor family in this process has been suggested.

COX-2 localization within plasma membrane caveolae-like structures in human lobular intraepithelial neoplasia of the breast.

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is highly expressed in human intraepithelial neoplasia of the breast and takes part in the molecular pathway implicated in progression of breast cancer. Recently, we demonstrated that COX-2 protein is mainly located in plasma membrane of lobular intraepithelial neoplasia (LIN) cells suggesting a localization in caveolae-like structures. The aim of the present study is to establish subcellular locations of COX-2 and its colocalization with caveolin-1 (CAV-1) to caveolae structures in LIN.

COX-2 expression in lobular in situ neoplasia of the breast: correlation with histopathological grading system according to the Tavassoli classification.

Aims: There is considerable evidence to link cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 to the development of cancer. The aim of this study was to assess COX-2 expression and its subcellular localization in lobular in situ neoplasia (LIN) of the breast and to verify differences in COX-2 expression between different grades of lesions according to the Tavassoli classification.

Methods And Results: We analysed the expression of COX-2 protein by immunohistochemistry in tissue samples of 51 LIN lesions classified into three grades according to the Tavassoli classification.

Immunohistochemistry and differential diagnosis of a solitary flat laryngeal xanthoma: a case report.

A 35-year-old woman presented with dyspnea, recurrent laryngitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Laryngoscopic examination revealed a yellow lesion on the anterior site of the left true vocal cord. No abnormal lesions were found in other portions of the larynx.

Reelin expression in human prostate cancer: a marker of tumor aggressiveness based on correlation with grade.

Reelin is a glycoprotein that plays a critical role in the regulation of neuronal migration during brain development and, since reelin has a role in the control of cell migration, it might represents an important factor in cancer pathology. In this study, 66 surgical specimens of prostate cancer were analyzed for reelin expression by immunohistochemical method. The reelin expression was correlated with Gleason score and individual Gleason patterns.

Redox regulation of sperm surface thiols modulates adhesion to the fallopian tube epithelium.

Sperm that adhere to the fallopian tube epithelium are of superior quality and adhesion extends their fertile life. It has been postulated that periovulatory signals, as yet undefined, promote sperm release. In the in vitro studies described here, we examined the effects of several antioxidants, reportedly present within oviductal fluid, on the modulation of sperm-oviduct adhesion in bovine species.

COX-2 expression of ampullary carcinoma: correlation with different histotypes and clinicopathological parameters.

Epidemiological studies suggest that regular intake of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are associated with reduced incidence of gastrointestinal cancer. Several lines of evidence indicate that the antineoplastic effect of NSAIDs is attributable to COX-2 inhibition. The aim of our study was to assess COX-2 expression in a series of primary untreated ampullary carcinomas and its possible correlation with clinicopathological parameters.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the breast diagnosis by vacuum-assisted core biopsy.

Squamous cell breast carcinoma is a rare occurrence. Often the tumor is metastatic from an extramammary primary tumor. In order to determine the nature of the lesion, extensive sampling is necessary.

COX-2 expression in DCIS: correlation with VEGF, HER-2/neu, prognostic molecular markers and clinicopathological features.

Aims: There is considerable evidence that links COX-2 to the development of cancer. The aim of our study was to assess, by immunohistochemistry, COX-2 expression in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and its possible correlation with HER-2/neu, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and other common immunohistochemical parameters (p53, ER, PGR, Ki67).

Methods And Results: Tissue samples of 49 archival cases of DCIS without any invasive component were analysed for COX-2, HER-2/neu, VEGF, oestrogen and progesterone receptors, Ki67 and p53 by immunohistochemistry using specific antibodies.

Intracellular calcium and protein tyrosine phosphorylation during the release of bovine sperm adhering to the fallopian tube epithelium in vitro.

In mammals, sperm adhesion to the epithelial cells lining the oviductal isthmus plays a key role in the maintenance of motility and in the selection of superior quality subpopulations. In the bovine species, heparin and other sulfated glycoconjugates powerfully induce the synchronous release of sperm adhering to tubal epithelium in vitro and may represent the signal which triggers release at ovulation in vivo. Sperm detachment may be due either to surface remodeling or to hyperactivation brought about by capacitation.

Cell-specific and developmental expression of phospholipase C-gamma and diacylglycerol in fetal lung.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR) regulates development of cell-cell communication in fetal lung, but the signal transduction mechanisms involved are unknown. We hypothesized that, in late-gestation fetal rat lung, phospholipase C-gamma (PLC-gamma) expression and activation by EGF is cell specific and developmentally regulated. PLC-gamma immunolocalized to cuboidal epithelium and mesenchymal clusters underlying developing saccules.

Electrophysiological and iontophoretic aspects of the habenular influence on hippocampal neurones.

In previous experimental studies, carried out on cats, we demonstrated that electrical stimulation of lateral habenula (LH) at 0.5-3.0 Hz or 5-20 Hz had a double effect (low frequency-excitation; high frequency-inhibition) on the spontaneous firing rate of single hippocampal neurones.

Lateral habenula and hippocampal units: electrophysiological and iontophoretic study.

In previous works we studied, on cats, the effects of lateral habenula (LH) stimulation on hippocampal units. In particular, the results showed an excitation or an inhibition in relation to the stimulation frequency (0.5-3.

QI team shares ownership and gets results.

The FOCUS-PDCA framework for process improvement developed by the Hospital Corporation of America helps the healthcare team look at work as a series of processes that can be improved rather than focus on the people involved in the processes. It is data driven, and it encourages teamwork and shared ownership in the process improvement opportunity. This article describes how, by using FOCUS-PDCA, the length of stay (LOS) quality improvement (QI) team at Hubbard Regional Hospital in Webster, MA, has decreased dramatically the time patients spend awaiting nursing home placement.

Electrophysiological and microiontophoretic analysis of the habenulo-hippocampal circuit.

In the cat, the effects of lateral habenula stimulation, at different ranges of frequency, on hippocampal units were studied. Habenular stimulation at low frequency excited, while at high frequency inhibited the greater part of hippocampal units. Moreover, in order to clarify the possible pathway involved in the habenulo-hippocampal circuit, the effects of iontophoretic acetylcholine and serotonin on hippocampal units were compared with those of habenular stimulation.

Effect of acetylcholine and dopamine iontophoretically applied on the sensory responsive caudate unit.

A putative integrative function of the striatum was evaluated through the study of the electrical activity of sensory responsive caudate neurones. Both nervous (radial nerve) and auditory stimulations were delivered in order to characterize populations of neurones affected by peripheral stimuli; the units were previously activated by iontophoretic glutamate. On these units the iontophoretic ejection of ACh and DA was tested.