Acral Malignant Melanoma and Striated Palmoplantar Keratoderma (Brunauer-Fohs-Siemens Syndrome): A Fortuitous Association?

Background. Striated palmoplantar keratoderma or Brunauer-Fohs-Siemens syndrome is a very rare, focal, nonepidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma with autosomal inheritance. Unlike other palmoplantar keratodermas, no association with visceral or skin cancer has ever been reported.
Objective. We report a case of malignant melanoma arising in the hyperkeratotic lesions on the right heel of a patient with striated palmoplantar keratoderma. The lesion was completely excised; our patient also underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy and then was treated with high-dose interferon adjuvant therapy.
Methods. Sentinel lymph node biopsy incision was made in elliptical fashion, long enough to harvest a full-thickness skin graft to cover the wide local excision defect. The skin graft was defatted by sharp dissection. Several perforations were made in graft and it was secured in place with sutures and bolster dressing.
Results. At follow-up, the grafted skin showed hyperkeratotic changes but no local or systemic signs of the disease was observed.
Conclusion. The association between striated palmoplantar keratoderma and acral melanoma is discussed.     

微波凝固对变应性鼻炎患者T淋巴细胞亚群的影响及意义

目的　探讨常年性变应性鼻炎 (PAR)患者细胞免疫功能状态及微波凝固治疗的作用机制。方法　观察组 2 5例PAR患者分别于微波治疗前以及治疗 1个月后应用免疫组化法检测鼻粘膜上皮和外周血CD3、CD4、CD8、CD4/CD8水平。健康对照组 1 5例亦作相应检测。结果　PAR患者治疗前鼻粘膜及外周血CD3、CD4明显高于正常人 ,CD8低于正常人 ,CD4/CD8比值升高 ,与正常人比较差异有显著性 (P <0 .0 5)。微波治疗后CD4明显减少 ,CD8升高 ,CD4/CD8接近于健康对照组。结论　PAR患者存在明显的细胞免疫功能障碍 ;微波局部凝固治疗可改善PAR患者的细胞免疫状况。     

Extracellular signal regulated kinases 1/2 signal pathway and responses of astrocytes after diffuse brain injury

BACKGROUND: The treatment of diffuse brain injury during an acute period is focused on relieving degrees of secondary brain injury. Generation and development of pathological changes of secondary brain injury depend on signal conduction, so down-regulating over response of astrocyte through interfering a key link of signal conduction pathway may bring a new thinking for the treatment of diffuse brain injury. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of over activity of extracellular signal regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) signal pathway on the response of astrocyte during an acute period of diffuse brain injury. DESIGN: Completely randomized grouping and controlled animal study. SETTINGS: Department of Neurosurgery, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University; Department of Neurosurgery, Union Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology. MATERIALS: A total of 158 healthy male SD rats, of 11 weeks old, weighing 320–370 g, were provided by Experimental Animal Faulty, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology. Rabbit-anti-phosphorylated ERK1/2 (pERK1/2) polyclonal antibody was provided by R&D Company; rabbit-anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) polyclonal antibody, SP immunohistochemical kit and horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-labeled goat-anti-rabbit IgG by Santa Cruz Company; specific inhibitor U0126 of ERK1/2 signal pathway by Alexis Company. METHODS: The experiment was carried out in the Laboratory of Neurosurgery, Union Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from September 2004 to March 2006. ① Detection of pERK1/2 expression: A total of 110 rats were randomly divided into sham operation group (n =5), model group (n =35), high-dosage U0126 group (n =35) and low-dosage U0126 group (n =35). Rats in the sham operation group were only treated with incision of epicranium and fixation of backup plate, but not hit. Rats in the model group were used to establish diffuse brain injury models based on Marmarou free falling body without drug intervention. Rats in the high- and low-dosage U0126 groups were injected into caudal vein with 0.1 and 0.05 mg/kg U0126, respectively, and then, rats were hit to establish injured models. Every 5 rats were collected from model, high- and low-dosage U0126 groups at 5, 30 minutes, 3, 12, 24, 72 hours and 7 days after diffuse brain injury to detect pERK1/2 expression in cortex of parietal lobe based on Western blot technique. ② Distribution of pERK1/2 and positive GFAP cells in brain tissue: Another 48 rats were randomly divided into sham operation group (n =3), model group (n =15), high-dosage U0126 group (n =15) and low-dosage U0126 group (n =15). The intervention and administration were dealt as the same as those mentioned above. Every 3 rats were collected from model, high- and low-dosage U0126 groups at 30 minutes, 3, 12, 24 and 72 hours after model establishment to observe the distribution of pERK1/2 and postive GFAP cells in brain tissue which was cut from coronal section at Bregma –4.8 mm layer with immunohistochemical staining. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: pERK1/2 expression in cortex of parietal lobe and distribution of pERK1/2 and positive GFAP cells in brain tissues. RESULTS: ① pERK1/2 expression: After diffuse brain injury, pERK1/2 expression in cortex of parietal lobe was rapidly increased in the model group, reached at peak at 5 minutes and then decreased gradually. But the expression was still in a high level until the 72nd hour and fallen to the basic level on the 7th day. pERK1/2 level was lower in high- and low-dosage U0126 groups than that in model group at various time points (P < 0.01); meanwhile, pERK1/2 level was lower in high-dosage U0126 group than that in low-dosage U0126 group. The results showed that there was a certain dosage dependence on pERK1/2 expression. ② Distribution of pERK1/2 and positive GFAP cells in brain tissue: Positive expression of pERK1/2 lasted in brain tissue from 30 minutes to 72 hours after diffuse brain injury (P < 0.05). In addition, from 30 minutes to 3 hours, brown-yellow stained cells were mainly distributed in plasma, but rarely in nucleus. A lot of positive cells had tree-like apophysis, which was similar to neurons. With the time passing by, more and more nuclei manifested positive stains; moreover, nuclei mainly manifested positive staining until 24 hours after diffuse brain injury. Immune-positive pERK1/2 cells were widely distributed in brain tissue, especially mainly in binding site between deep cortex and cerebral white matter, and then in hippocampus. In addition, ependymal cell and vascular endothelial cells of choroids plexus also manifested strongly positive staining. As compared with model group, positive cells were decreased gradually in high- and low-dosage U0126 groups. However, number of positive cells was less in high-dosage U0126 group than that in low-dosage U0126 group. CONCLUSION: Diffuse brain injury strongly induces the activity of ERK1/2 signal pathway and response of astrocyte; in addition, U0126 can inhibit response of glial cells during an acute period, and the effect manifests dosage dependence.     

原发性前列腺印戒细胞癌(1例报告并文献复习)

目的探讨原发性前列腺印戒细胞癌的临床特征。方法回顾性分析1例原发性前列腺印戒细胞癌患者的临床资料,并结合文献进行复习讨论。结果患者前列腺穿刺活检病理报告为前列腺印戒细胞癌,免疫组织化学检查示PSA( ),PAS、CEA、LCA、CKH(-),行双侧睾丸切除术和氟他胺治疗,术后1月死于肺部转移。结论原发性前列腺印戒细胞癌来自前列腺腺泡上皮,确诊依靠病理组织学和免疫组化检查。临床罕见,恶性程度高,预后较差。     

Infusion manometry and detection of sphincteric function of crural diaphragm

The principles of infusion manometry in the measurement of lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure were laid down in the mid-1960s by L.D. Harris and his coworkers. Dodds and his colleagues were largely responsible for the improvements and advent of the low-compliance manometry. Using side-hole manometry, it is possible to detect accurate LES pressure that correlates with the strength of the antireflux barrier. The LES pressure as measured by the side-hole manometry, shows respiration-induced pressure oscillations. These pressure oscillations were initially thought to be due to the influence of abdominal and thoracic pressures on the LES. However, it was later pointed out that these pressure oscillations were due to the relative motion of the point pressure sensor (side hole of the manometric catheter) and the LES during respiration. Recent studies suggest that active contraction of the crural diaphragm during inspiration is responsible for the pressure oscillations observed in the cat LES pressure tracings. The use of the sleeve device in the measurement of LES pressure during contraction of the diaphragm has been described recently. Using the principles of manometry and sleeve device, it is now possible to identify two lower esophageal sphincters: the smooth muscle LES, traditionally known as the LES, and crural diaphragm, which we have referred to as the external lower esophageal sphincter. The purpose of the following paper is to summarize the general principles of the infusion manometry in the measurement of intraluminal pressure, specifically the LES pressure. The recently developed technique of detection of the sphincteric function of the crural diaphragm by the sleeve device will be discussed. In the last paragraph the limitations of manometry in detection of the muscular contractile activity are described.     

Late-Onset Superficial Lymphatic Malformation: Report of a Case and Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND: Superficial lymphatic malformations are predominantly developmental malformations of infancy, but they may arise at any age. OBJECTIVE: To describe a patient with a late-onset superficial lymphatic malformation. METHODS: Case report and literature review. RESULTS: A 53-year-old woman was evaluated for a colored lesion that developed spontaneously on the anterior abdominal wall. The lesion was treated by surgical excision. Findings on histopathologic examination of the specimen were consistent with superficial lymphatic malformation. There was no recurrence of the lesion at 4 months after the operation. CONCLUSION: Superficial lymphatic malformations can develop in adults spontaneously without the presence of any predisposing condition. Because the majority of such late-onset malformations reported in the literature are localized lesions similar to the one in our patient, surgical removal with inclusion of subcutaneous tissue usually results in cure without recurrence.     

Outbreak of Mycobacterium Abscessus Infection After Soft Tissue Augmentation

BACKGROUND: Illicit soft-tissue augmentation performed in New York City resulted in an outbreak of Mycobacterium abscessus infection in 2002. OBJECTIVE: To report two cases of women who developed tender, subcutaneous nodules of the face and buttocks after illicit soft-tissue augmentation with a hyaluronic acid derivative. METHODS: Two case reports are presented, and the literature is reviewed. RESULTS: Empiric treatment with clarithromycin (for M. abscessus infection) and prednisone (for foreign body reaction) resulted in clearance of lesions. CONCLUSION: Contaminated or impure material used for soft-tissue augmentation can result in a clustered outbreak of infection or foreign body reaction.