170,093 research outputs found
Oral mucosal disease: pemphigus
No full textPemphigus defines a group of rare mucocutaneous autoimmune diseases of which pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is the most common. The aetiology and pathogenesis of PV are not completely clear, but there is a fairly strong genetic background: ethnic groups such as Ashkenazi Jews and people of Mediterranean and Indian origin are particularly susceptible and there is a link to HLA class II alleles. The initiating event in PV is not clear, but circulating IgG autoantibodies develop, directed particularly against the intercellular cadherin desmoglein 3 (Dsg3) in desmosomes of stratified squamous epithelium. Oral lesions often herald the disease and are initially vesiculobullous, but they rupture readily to leave ulcers. Involvement of other mucosa and skin is almost inevitable and PV is potentially life threatening. The diagnosis is confirmed by biopsy with histological examination and immunostaining. Management is largely by systemic immunosuppression with corticosteroids, usually azathioprine or other agents, but newer treatments with potentially fewer adverse effects look promisin
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
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
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
Macroscopic classification of superficial neoplastic lesions of the oral mucosa: A preliminary study.
No full textCareful endoscopic classification of macroscopic appearance of superficial neoplasias of the gastrointestinal tract is essential in the early detection and appropriate treatment of cancer. It has contributed to introduce minimally invasive endoscopic surgery and has significantly improved survival of patients with colon and gastric cancers. Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity has been characterized, in past and present times, by poor prognosis and lack of progress in treatment outcome. Failure in diagnosing oral malignancy at an early stage is a major culprit, and the lack of a worldwide adopted classification of its macroscopic appearance, similar to that of gastrointestinal neoplasias, may have contributed to it. AIM: To test the hypothesis that is possible to extend the diagnostic benefit of a classification based upon the macroscopic appearance of superficial tumours of the digestive tract to superficial carcinoma of the oral mucosa. METHODS: We retrospectively examined a group of patients who developed multiple intraepithelial and early invasive malignant oral neoplasias, applying a modified version of the Paris classification of superficial GI neoplastic lesions. One hundred and ten out of 116 (94.9%) of the study lesions had morphological features that accorded with the prepared classification. These preliminary data suggest that most superficial early neoplastic lesions of the oral cavity can be easily detected using a well-defined classification system similar to that employed in the diagnosis of early gastrointestinal malignanc
- …
