267 research outputs found
Technical aspects in endoscopic biopsy of lesions in esophageal pemphigus vulgaris.
No full textBackground and aims. Aim of this study is to compare a specific kind of biopsy forceps to a traditional one in providing an adequate specimen of esophageal pemphigus vulgaris lesions that includes the basement membrane for definitive diagnosis.
Patients and methods. Prospective, randomized, blind, single-center study. We performed upper endoscopy with biopsy in 32 patients divided into two groups of 16 each: in group A with a commercially available standard biopsy forceps while in group B with a commercially available rocking biopsy forceps. Hundred-ninety-six biopsy specimens from both groups were blindly evaluated by the same pathologist.
Results. In group A 18.8% of biopsy specimens were adequate (basement membrane included). In group B 87.5% of biopsy specimens were adequate.
The presence of the entire thickness of the mucosa was significantly higher in group B compared to group A. All parameters typically taken into account by pathologist for diagnosis of esophageal pemphigus vulgaris were significantly improved in group B.
Conclusions. The biopsy forceps used in group B permits a rocking motion of the tip on contact with the mucosa, produces a deeper full-thickness mucosal sample up to the basement membrane and assists in the evaluation of histologic features of esophageal pemphigus vulgaris
Structure-function relationships of temporins, small anti-microbial peptides from amphibian skin
No full textTemporins, antimicrobial peptides of 10±13 residues, were isolated from secretions of Rana temporaria
[Simmaco, M., Mignogna, G., Canofeni, S., Miele, R., Mangoni, M.L. & Barra, D. (1996) Eur. J. Biochem. 242,
788±792]. These molecules are specific to this amphibian species, which is also able to secrete on its skin other
antimicrobial peptides similar to those found in different Rana species. The effect of temporins A, B and D (13
residues, net charge +2), and H (10 residues, net charge +1 and +2, respectively) against both artificial
membranes of differing lipid composition and bacteria has been investigated in order to gain insight into their
mechanisms of action. The results indicate that: the lytic activity of temporins is not greatly affected by the
membrane composition; temporins A and B allow the leakage of large-size molecules from the bacterial cells;
temporin H renders both the outer and inner membrane of bacteria permeable to hydrophobic substances of low
molecular mass; and temporin D, although devoid of antibacterial activity, has a cytotoxic effect on erythrocytes.
The results allow important conclusions to be drawn about the minimal structural requirements for lytic
efficiency and specificity of temporins
Oncocytic cyst of the larynx: an unusual occurrence
No full textOncocytic cysts of the larynx are rare benign, slow growing lesions that are lined predominantly or exclusively by oncocytes. In the
larynx, oncocytic metaplasia is very uncommon, but it is occasionally seen in the lining of laryngeal cysts. Management of these lesions is conservative and consists of local excision, endoscopic removal
being the treatment of choice.Causes of oncocytic
changes and pathogenesis of laryngeal cysts are discussed
A case of pure uterine lipoma: immunohistochemical and ultrastructural focus.
No full textBackground Pure uterine lipoma is a rare clinical event and only a few cases have been reported in literature. The histogenesis of these lesions is still debatable. Preoperative diagnosis is difficult and should be pathologically confirmed postoperatively.
Case We report the case of a 58-year-old woman who presented with pelvic pain and postmenopausal uterine bleeding. The hysterectomy specimen showed a pure intramural lipoma of the uterus. An immunohistochemical study revealed that the lipomatous tissue was reactive to S-100, vimentin, actin and desmin. Electron microscopy examination revealed bundles of spindle cells with intracytoplasmatic vacuoles and parallel-arranged intermediate filaments in the surrounding zone, in which adipose cells were mixed with muscular cells.
Discussion Clinical and histological diagnosis of pure uterine lipomas are described and a possible involvement of fatty metaplasia of smooth muscle cells in the development of pure uterine lipomas is discussed
Istiocitosi a cellule di Langerhans - etiopatogenesi ed inquadramento prognostico alla luce delle piu` recenti acquisizioni.
No full textOral lichen planus and HCV infection: a clinical evaluation of 263 cases
No full textBACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection induces variable dermatologic manifestations. Our purpose was to determine whether there is an association between HCV infection and oral lichen planus (OLP). METHODS: Antibodies to HCV were determined in patients with OLP (263 patients; 156 women and 107 men, with a mean age of 55.5 years) and in a control population. RESULTS: Seventy six cases (28.8%) were positive for HCV antibodies with the second-generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA II) test. All of these cases were confirmed with the second-generation recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA II) test. In 61 cases (23.1%), high levels of serum transaminase were found. Positivity for hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers was found in 31 patients (11.7%) and for hepatitis A virus (HAV) markers in 43 patients (16.3%). None had positivity for hepatitis D virus (HDV) markers. As a control group, we used 100 patients (58 women and 42 men, with a mean age of 55.3 years) referred to the School of Dentistry of the University of Naples "Federico II," and treated for general dental caries. In the control group, HCV antibody positivity was found in three cases. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of HCV antibody in this group of patients with OLP, higher than in the healthy population, suggests a link (p = 1.423 x 10(-7), chi-squared test) between these two diseases. These findings stress the importance of liver examination in OLP patients, and the need for other studies on the high susceptibility to hepatitis viruses in the population in the southern part of Europe
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