Bcl-2 and LMP1 expression in nasopharyngeal carcinomas

In vitro studies of B-cells immortalized by Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) have shown that B-cell leukemia/lymphoma-2 (bcl-2) protein expression is upregulated by the EBV-latency-associated antigen, latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1). The same phenomenon has also been observed in epithelial cells in vitro. However, such correlation between these 2 markers has not been shown in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), in which EBV infection is a well-known etiologic factor. This retrospective study examined 35 cases of undifferentiated NPC to answer the question of whether LMP1 and/or bcl-2 presence can be used as biomarkers at treatment response, as well as to see the relationship between bcl-2 and LMP in NPC. Of the 35 patients, 26 (74.3%) were bcl-2, and 10 (28.6%) were LMP1-positive. Although a significant correlation was observed between bcl-2 and LMP1 staining (P =.003), it appeared that bcl-2 expression could be independent of LMP1. Statistical analysis showed that cervical lymph node metastasis (P =.04) and cranial nerve involvement (P =.03) are the only variables that significantly affect patient survival. At this time, bcl-2 and LMP1 presence are not significant indicators of outcome; however, although they are not directly related to survival, expression of both bcl-2 and LMP1 was strongly correlated with cervical lymph node metastasis, which is a potent predictor of patient survival.     

Intensive extracorporeal photochemotherapy in pediatric patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD)

Extracorporeal photochemotherapy (ECP) is an alternative treatment approach in the management of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD). However, few reports have investigated the optimal treatment schedule of ECP. We treated seven pediatric patients with steroid-resistant or -dependent cGVHD with ECP. Using the Therakos UVAR XTS system, ECP was begun three (three patients) or five (four patients) times a week initially. Complete and partial responses were obtained in three patients. Three of seven patients died of GVHD-related complications. In this group initial intensive ECP did not improve the rate of response. However, this schedule appeared well tolerated.     

The Mediating Role of Self/Everyday Creativity and Depression on the Relationship Between Creative Personality Traits and Problematic Social Media Use Among Emerging Adults

International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction - Personality is one of the important contributory factors in the development of problematic technology use. The purpose of the present study...     

Minimum apparent diffusion coefficients in the evaluation of brain tumors

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether diffusion-weighted imaging by using minimum apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC(min)) values could differentiate various brain tumors including gliomas, metastases, and lymphomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined 65 patients with histologically or clinically diagnosed brain tumors (12 low-grade gliomas, 31 high-grade gliomas, 14 metastatic tumors, and 8 lymphomas) using a 1.5 T MR unit. On diffusion-weighted imaging, the ADC(min) values were measured within the tumors and mean values were evaluated regarding statistical differences between groups. RESULTS: The ADC(min) values of low-grade gliomas (1.09+/-0.20 x 10(-3)mm(2)/s) were significantly higher (p<.001) than those of other tumors. There were no statistical significant differences between glioblastomas (0.70+/-0.16 mm(2)/s), anaplastic astrocytomas (0.77+/-0.21 mm(2)/s), metastases (0.78+/-0.21 mm(2)/s), and lymphomas. But, lymphomas had lower mean ADC(min) values (0.54+/-0.10mm(2)/s) than high-grade gliomas and metastases. CONCLUSION: The ADC measurements may help to differentiate low-grade gliomas from high-grade gliomas, metastases, and lymphomas. Although there is no statistical difference, lymphomas seem to have marked restriction in diffusion coefficients.     

Prognostic significance of Langerhans cell infiltration in cancer of the larynx.

OBJECTIVE: Determine the effect on prognosis of Langerhans cell infiltration in cancer of the larynx. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective review of 72 surgically treated patients with T1-3 lesions. The streptavidin-biotin method to determine Langerhans cell infiltration, which was graded as 1+, 2+, and 3+. RESULTS: A higher degree of Langerhans cell infiltration was significantly associated with less cervical lymph node metastasis, longer disease-free survival, less locoregional recurrence, and less clinical N-positivity ( P < 0.05). According to multivariant analysis, Langerhans cell infiltration was independently related to disease-free survival and recurrence ( P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Langerhans cell infiltration is prognostically important in cancer of the larynx. More intense infiltration is significantly related to prolonged disease-free survival, less locoregional recurrence, less cervical lymph node metastasis, and less clinical N-positivity. SIGNIFICANCE: Langerhans cell infiltration may be determined on a biopsy specimen and this information may be useful in deciding about elective neck dissection. Patients with mild infiltration may have a higher risk of locoregional recurrence, shorter disease-free survival, and therefore they suggest a poor prognosis.     

Short-term effects of fiberotomy on relapse of anterior crowding

The effects of fiberotomy were evaluated in alleviating dental relapse of incisors after orthodontic treatment. The study sample consisted of 23 patients with crowded maxillary and mandibular incisors before orthodontic treatment. The amount of initial crowding was determined according to Little's irregularity index. Fiberotomy procedures were performed on 11 of the patients 1 week before debonding. The other 12 subjects served as the control group. All patients wore Hawley retainers. Lateral cephalometric headfilms and dental casts of the patients were taken at the beginning (T1) and at the end (T2) of treatment, 6 months into the retention phase (T3), and 1 year after orthodontic treatment (T4). Significant increase of irregularity index was noted in the control group at T3 and T4 for both maxillary and mandibular anterior segments (P <.05, P <.01). Meanwhile, in the group where circumferential supracrestal fiberotomy was performed, no significant increase of the irregularity index was noted.     

Atypical melanosis of the foot showing a dermoscopic feature of the parallel ridge pattern

A 62-year-old male Turkish patient had a pigmented lesion on the sole with a 10-year history. It was an asymmetrical macular lesion with an irregular border and irregular brown pigmentation and had a diameter of 1.2 cm x 1.7 cm. Dermoscopy revealed a parallel ridge pattern and an abrupt cut-off of pigmentation on the upper edge. Histologically lentiginous hyperplasia decorated by innocent melanocytes and scattered melanocytic proliferation with slight to moderate cytological atypia were seen. Atypical melanocytes were very scattered and it was insufficient to call it a melanoma in situ. A second finding was a microvascular proliferation located in the papillary dermis. There was no sign of regression such as fibrous tissue or host reaction. Atypical melanosis of the foot has rarely been reported in the published work, which are from Japan and Korea. This case is presented to emphasize the significance of this rare entity which has recently been reported to be a very early phase of acral melanoma.