Widely Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma Originating from Malignant Transformation of Hypertrophic Lichen Planus in a 24‐Year‐Old Woman: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Hypertrophic lichen planus (HLP) is a T‐cell‐mediated process typically presenting with hypertrophic or verrucous plaques on the lower limbs. We report the case of a 24‐year‐old woman with a history of HLP since age 3 years presenting with rapid malignant transformation of one lesion into a large squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Subsequent examination revealed progressive, widespread metastatic involvement, and the patient ultimately died from her disease. SCC associated with HLP is rare, with a review of the literature revealing fewer than 50 cases. This case highlights the need to be aware of suspicious changes in HLP and to educate patients as to when to be reevaluated.     

Physiologische Reaktionen nach der Blutentnahme

Zusammenfassung Zur Prüfung einer von den Amerikanernvan Slyke undPhillips angegebenen Schnellmethode zur Messung des menschlichens Bluteiweißes wurden 50 Blutspender untersucht und ihre physiologischen Reaktionen nach der Blutentnahme geprüft.Es konnte bestätigt werden, daß beim Blutverlust der Verringerung der kreisenden Blutmenge die entscheidende Bedeutung zukommt. Der Organismus ist bestrebt, die Leere im Kreislauf durch Ausschüttung hämoglobinreicherer Erythrocyten aus den Depotorganen, wie Leber, Milz und subpapillärem Plexus aufzufüllen.Durch Einströmen von Gewebswasser in die Blutbahn kehrt das Kreislaufvolumen zur ursprünglichen Norm zurück, die Erythrocyten verschwinden wieder in ihre Lagerstätten.Zur Erhaltung des kolloidosmotischen Druckes, d. h. zur Retention der eiweißärmeren Gewebsflüssigkeit, werden hydrationsfähige Proteine aus der Leber vornehmlich mobilisiert.Die Wiederauffüllung des Kreislaufs ist in erster Linie eine physikalische Notwendigkeit, zu deren Stabilisierung Gewebs- wie Plasmaproteine beitragen. Das weitere Absinken der Erythrocyten über den 2. Tag hinaus wird mit ihrem hohen Eiweißmolekül erklärt, das in den ersten Tagen nach der Blutentnahme als Plasmaprotein Verwendung findet.Die Tatsache, daß die hier gefundenen Ergebnisse mit bisherigen übereinstimmen, verbunden mit dem Vorteil der sicheren und schnellen Handhabung, lassen die Methode vonvan Slyke undPhillips für die Klinik brauchbar erscheinen.Mit 4 Textabbildungen.     

Characterization and Development of UCI 107, a Primary Human Ovarian Carcinoma Cell Line

We introduce a new epithelial ovarian carcinoma cell line (UCI 107) from a patient with papillary adenocarcinoma of the ovary who had not been previously treated. The growth characteristics, chemosensitivity, tumorgenicity, cytogenetics, antigen expression, and receptor status were examined. A standardized photometric assay was implemented to determine the response to single drug agents including doxorubicin (ADR), cisplatin (CDDP), and Taxol. Tumorgenicity was determined utilizing female athymic mice implanted either subcutaneously (sc) or intraperitoneally (ip) with 1 × 10⁷ UCI 107 cells. UCI 107 cells grow rapidly in culture with lag phase of approximately 48 hr, population doubling time of 24-36 hr, and saturation density of 4.8 × 10⁵ cells/cm². The 50% inhibitory concentration values for the chemotherapeutic agents were 0.170, 0.029, and 0.330 μM for ADR, Taxol, and CDDP, respectively. Nude mice produced ip tumors within 15 days, resulting in death from carcinomatosis 40-45 days postimplantation. Subcutaneous tumor nodules (100 mm³ were observed in nude mice 12-13 days post-tumor implantation reaching a maximum tumor volume of approximately 10,000 mm³ by Day 30. The cytogenetic composite karyotype is as follows: 46, X, der (X) t (X;7) (p11;q22), inv dup (1) (q12;q32), t (6;6;11;22) (p21.3;q16;q23.3;q13.3), del (13) (q14.1). The cell line expresses progesterone receptor, increased levels of p53 protein, and cytokeratins. It does not appear to express Her-2/neu protein, estrogen receptor, nor the CA 125 tumor marker. In conclusion, UCI 107 displays unique cellular properties which make it an attractive model for the study of ovarian cancer.     

Association of human polyomavirus JC with peripheral blood of immunoimpaired and healthy individuals

JC virus (JCV) infection is regularly asymptomatic in healthy individuals. In contrast, in immunocompromised individuals, highly activated virus replication may lead to PML. Peripheral blood cells (PBCs) are found to habor JCV DNA in healthy and diseased individuals and it is discussed that they might be responsible for dissemination of the virus to the central nervous system (CNS) during persistence. To better understand the role of JCV DNA in PBCs for persistent infection and pathogenesis, the authors characterized the extent of JCV infection in Ficoll-gradient purified blood cells (peripheral blood mononuclear cells [PBMCs]) of healthy and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected individuals. Virus activation in PBMCs from healthy JCV-infected individuals was found at a rate of 0% to 38% at low polymerase chain reaction (PCR) sensitivity. In progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) patients, a stronger signal was found, indicating increased virus activation. JCV DNA was regularly detected in T and B lymphocytes and in monocytes at low levels. However, granulocytes were shown to be the predominant reservoir of JCV DNA harboring high copy numbers. Although the overall distribution of viral genomes holds true for the population studied, in the individual, a markedly changed pattern of distribution can be found.     

Le Infezioni Perinatali

Le infezioni microbiche possono mettere a rischio la gravidanza e/o la salute del bambino. Esse possono provocare aumento delia morbilitÀ F. dar luogo, a seconda del momento della gestazione in cui si verificano, ad infezione del prodotto del concepimento, ad aborto, a nascita di un nato morto, a malformazioni, ad alterazioni dello sviluppo, a malattie neonatali e ad infezioni croniche dal decorso variabile.