Expression of human neutrophil proteins in acne vulgaris

Background In acne vulgaris patients, the presence of a dysregulation of the production of innate and specific antimicrobial peptides has been postulated. Objective This study aims to determine whether human neutrophil proteins (HNP) 1–3 are expressed in acne patients. Materials and methods HNP 1–3 expression was investigated in 35 acne patients treated with isotretinoin and in 25 healthy subjects. At the beginning of the study, two skin biopsies were taken from acne patients; one biopsy was taken from an established pustule and one from uninvolved skin, and the biopsies were repeated after treatment. Only one biopsy was obtained from controls. Results The statistical analysis showed that pustular lesions of acne patients had significantly higher levels of perivascular and interstitial HNP 1–3 expression when compared with the biopsy of uninvolved skin of these patients (P = 0.003, P = 0.001, respectively) and with that of healthy controls (P = 0.007, P = 0.014, respectively). Isotretinoin treatment achieved a decrease in the perivascular and interstitial HNP 1–3 expression of pustular lesions (P = 0.01, P = 0.001, respectively). Conclusion Our current study demonstrates the novel observation that a recently identified antimicrobial peptide, HNP 1–3, is expressed in neutrophils of acne inflammation but not in uninvolved skin of these patients. These results suggest that HNP 1–3 may contribute to the development of inflammatory lesions of acne.     

Reflections on the nosology of cranio-facial pain syndromes

Neurological Sciences - Orofacial pain syndromes have traditionally been divided into two groups: the typical neuralgias and atypical facial pain. While typical neuralgias are well characterised,...     

Functional neuroimaging and headache pathophysiology: new findings and new prospects

Neurological Sciences - In the last ten years pathophysiology of primary headaches has received new insights from neuroimaging studies. Positron emission tomography (PET) showed activation of...     

Penetrating keratoplasty for pseudophakic corneal oedema.

AIMS--The study was designed to investigate the results of penetrating keratoplasty (PK) for pseudophakic corneal oedema (PCO). METHODS--Retrospective analysis of 80 consecutive patients (82 eyes) who underwent PK for PCO between the years 1980-1992 with a minimum follow up of 12 months. RESULTS--PKs for PCO have accounted for as many as 20% of all grafts performed in the hospital in recent years. The interval between cataract extraction and PK ranged from 6 to 161 months (mean 51 months). The intraocular lens was removed in 45 (55%), left in situ in 30 (37%), and exchanged in seven (8%) of cases respectively. Of the intraocular lenses involved 62% were iris supported, 31% angle supported, and 7% were posterior chamber lenses. Actuarial analysis shows graft survival to be 91% at 1 year and 86% at 2 years after surgery. The likelihood of graft survival was significantly enhanced by removal of the intraocular lens (p < 0.01). A corrected Snellen visual acuity worse than 6/60 was present in 36% of patients with a clear corneal graft. Ocular comfort was achieved in all patients with a clear corneal graft. CONCLUSION--PK for PCO resulted in a disappointing visual result in a large proportion of patients. PK was, however, successful in relieving pain and corneal ulceration when present.     

Pyoderma gangrenosum or leukaemia cutis?

We report a case of atypical bullous pyoderma gangrenosum associated with acute myeloid leukaemia in which we found atypical myeloid cells within the skin lesion. Although there have been many reported cases of leukaemia-associated pyoderma gangrenosum, the finding of myeloblasts in the skin has rarely been described.     

Expected Gain in Body Mass and Onset of the Menarche

Fertility is dependent on sexual maturity, which is associated with a number of factors, including body mass. In this study the Body Mass Index (BMI) was used to estimate body fat in a large sample of 13-year-old New Zealand girls. Nearly half of the subjects (46%) had experienced the menarche. Expected gain in body mass was calculated from growth rates at earlier ages and used to examine whether deviation from the expected gain was associated with the onset of the menarche. In general, the results show an association between the menarche and gain in body mass. However, many girls who failed to achieve their expected gain had experienced the menarche (18%), indicating that the relationship between body weight and the menarche may not be causal or is mediated by other factors.