Glomeruloid haemangioma is not always associated with POEMS syndrome

Glomeruloid haemangioma is considered a specific marker of POEMS ( p olyneuropathy, o rganomegaly, e ndocrinopathy, M -protein and s kin changes) syndrome and it is usually but not always associated with multicentric Castleman's disease. We report a 78-year-old man who presented with a single, red-violet soft nodule with superficial telangiectases on the scalp. Histopathologically, the lesion consisted of lobules of coiled aggregated capillaries that involved the lumina of dilated vascular structures, mimicking renal glomeruli. A collagenous stroma separated the capillary lobules, and eosinophilic, periodic-acid–Schiff positive globules of varying sizes and shapes were seen within the cytoplasm of endothelial cells. Immunohistochemical studies with antibodies against IgA and IgG, and against the kappa and lambda light chains of immunoglobulins showed immunoreactivity within the eosinophilic globules. Results of complete blood count, liver, renal and thyroid function tests, fasting blood sugar measurement, serum levels of oestradiol, testosterone, prolactin and cortisol, serum protein electrophoresis, immunoelectrophoresis and immunofixation yielded normal or negative results. No Bence–Jones proteinuria was found in a sample from a 24-h urine collection. To our knowledge, only two cases of glomeruloid haemangioma have been previously reported in patients without POEMS syndrome. We describe the third case of glomeruloid haemangioma in a patient without features of POEMS syndrome.     

The effect of ethanol intake on tendon healing: a histological and biomechanical study in a rat model

Introduction  

Ethanol has a suppressive effect on inflammation and the immune system, but the effect of ethanol on tendon healing in vivo has not been studied. The purpose of this study was to investigate the histological and biomechanical effects of ethanol intake on tendon healing in a rat tendon injury model.     

The psychology behind doping in sport

Drugs and methods to improve physical performance among athletes have been used since the beginning of sport history, but the use of performance enhancing drugs has not always been regarded as cheating. In short, the motives for doping are improving and maintaining physical functioning, coping with the social/psychological pressures and striving for social and psychological goals, including economic benefits. Factors such as, “doping dilemma”, “win at all costs”, cost versus benefit, and the specificity of some specific doping agents, also play major roles. It seems that action on the athletes′ attitude about the achievement of physical improvement and creating effective methods to reveal the drug abuse, are two main ways in winning the struggle against doping.     

Cryosurgical treatment of gingival melanin pigmentation with tetrafluoroethane.

OBJECTIVE: To introduce 1,1,1,2 tetrafluoroethane (TFE), as a new material for cryosurgery of gingival melanin pigmentation (GMP). STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-one patients with GMP were treated using a TFE-cooled cotton swab. Standard digital images of pigmented areas were measured preoperatively and postoperatively with image-analyzing software. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Keratinization was completed 3 to 4 weeks after application, without any trace of pigmentation. Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference between preoperative and postoperative measurements of pigmented areas (P < .05). During the follow-up period, no side effects were observed and improved esthetics were maintained up to month 30. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical outcomes of cryosurgery with TFE for treatment of GMP are very satisfactory. The use of TFE for cryosurgical treatment of GMP is practical and inexpensive. Moreover, unlike other cryosurgery methods no special equipment is required, and it is safe to store in the dental clinic.     

Antiaggregatory and anticoagulant effects of oligoamines. 7. Benzene-1,3,5-trialkaneamines

Platelet Aggregation Inhibiting and Anticoagulant Effects of Oligoamines, VII: Benzene-1,3,5-trialkanamines Seventeen title compounds were synthesized. Platelet aggregation induced by collagen in vitro is inhibited by 9 of them at IC₅₀ = 2–4 μmol/L. Seven compounds depress the formation of fibrin to ≦ 25 % of normal in concentrations below 50 μmol/L. Compound 15 [4-(2-thienylbutyl)benzene-1,3,5-trimethanamine is the first oligoamine which shows anticoagulant and antiplatelet effects at the same concentration (25 μmol/L).     

Diamine oxidase as a marker of intestinal integrity in acute appendicitis

In the operative treatment of appendicitis the so called negative appendectomy is an important issue because of its increased morbidity. From the hypothesis that the intestinal diamine oxidase activity is a suitable marker of mucosal integrity, the distribution pattern of the enzyme in appendices histologically classified as inflamed or not inflamed was studied. Histologically apparent inflammation of the appendix was connected with a significant reduction of diamine oxidase activity. The determination of this enzymic activity may be a simple and sensitive test for mucosal inflammation of the appendix even at a very early state. This could reduce the rate of negative appendectomies and influence thereby risk-cost-benefit calculations.