Effect of Moderate Wine Consumption on Oxidative Stress Markers in Coronary Heart Disease Patients

Evidence from research studies reports that wine consumption is associated with lower cardiovascular disease risk, partly through the amelioration of oxidative stress. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of regular light to moderate wine consumption from coronary heart disease (CHD) patients compared to the effect induced by alcohol intake without the presence of wine microconstituents, on oxidation-induced macromolecular damage as well as on endogenous antioxidant enzyme activity. A randomized, single-blind, controlled, three-arm parallel intervention was carried out, in which 64 CHD patients were allocated to three intervention groups. Group A consumed no alcohol, and Group B (wine) and Group C (ethanol) consumed 27 g of alcohol/day for 8 weeks. Blood and urine samples were collected at baseline and at 4 and 8 weeks. Urine oxidized guanine species levels, protein carbonyls, thiobarbituric acid substances (TBARS) levels, as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, were measured. Oxidized guanine species and protein carbonyl levels were significantly increased in the ethanol group during the intervention and were significantly decreased in the wine group. These results support the idea that wine’s bioactive compounds may exert antioxidant actions that counteract the macromolecular oxidative damage induced by alcohol in CHD patients.     

Gastric Hepatoid Adenocarcinoma

Gastric Hepatoid AdenoCarcinoma (GHAC) is a special type of gastric cancer characterized by morphological features similar to hepatocellular carcinoma (HAC). GHAC has been found in different organs such as the stomach, lung, pancreas, oesophagus, papilla of Vater, colon, kidney, uterus and peritoneum. The diagnosis of GHAC is not dependent on production of AFP, but mainly based on recognition of characteristic histologic features. We report the case of a 72-year-old male patient who underwent a total gastrectomy for a large poorly differentiated gastric tumour. The microscopic examination of the tumour showed an adenocarcinoma with two distinct patterns: that of an adenocarcinoma with glandular differentiation and another with a morphological pattern consisting of polygonal neoplastic cells with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, prominent nuclei and high mitotic activity. Immunohistochemical staining revealed positive Hep Par1 and AFP, while CK7 and CK20 were negative, the percentage of hepatoid differentiation being about 60%. On the basis of histological and immunohistochemical findings, the diagnosis of hepatoid gastric adenocarcinoma was established. In general, GHACs have an unfavourable prognosis. The majority have already metastasized by the time of diagnosis, usually to the liver and lymph nodes.     

Primary cutaneous apocrine carcinoma of sweat glands: a rare case report

Cutaneous apocrine gland carcinoma, a subtype of sweat gland carcinoma, is a very rare malignancy, and only few cases have been reported in the literature. Many of these carcinomas are indolent and slowly developing, but some are rapidly progressive. The treatment of choice is wide local excision with clear margins, with or without lymph node dissection. We report a case of a 67-year-old man who came to our hospital with an ulcerated nodule in the right axilla measuring 1 × 0.8 cm. Histological evaluation showed features of an apocrine gland carcinoma arising in an area of high apocrine gland density.     

Pharmacodynamics of TNF-α inhibitors in psoriasis

Over the last two decades, research developments have revolutionized our understanding of the pathogenesis of psoriasis and of the contribution of several cytokines in the manifestation of the disease. The key role of TNF-α in the pathogenesis of psoriasis has been extensively studied and its therapeutic action, initially observed in experimental models, has been clinically translated into therapeutic agents with remarkable efficacy in the treatment of the disease. There are currently two classes of marketed biologic drugs that reduce TNF-α bioavailability and are used clinically in psoriasis: the soluble TNF-α receptor-Fc fusion protein (etanercept) and the anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibodies (adalimumab and infliximab). The present article reviews the pharmacodynamic properties of the three TNF-α inhibitors and discusses possible differences in their mode of action, clinical efficacy and safety profile.     

Association of thyroid autoimmunity with acne in adult women

Background During the last decades an increase has been observed regarding acne in adults and especially women. Objective To evaluate the association between thyroid disorder and the presence of post‐adolescent acne in adult women, comparing with healthy controls. Methods 107 adult women with post–adolescent acne and 60 healthy controls were included. Complete blood count and standard biochemical profile of C‐Reactive Protein (CRP) and levels of thyroid hormones and antibodies [triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free T3 (FT3), free T4 (FT4), antithyroglobulin antibodies (anti‐TG) and anti‐thyroid peroxidase antibodies (anti‐TPO)] were determined in all subjects of both the acne and control groups. A thyroid ultrasound was also performed. Results There was a statistically significant difference (P = 0.008) in the prevalence of positive anti‐TG antibodies, with 25.2% of the acne group and 8.3% of the control group having elevated (> 40 U/mL) anti‐TG levels, respectively. Adult women with acne had a statistically significant increased relative risk to have high levels of anti‐TG in comparison with healthy controls (odds ratio 3.89, P = 0.011). This association was independent of age. Values for TSH, FT4, FT3, T4 and anti‐TPO did not significantly differ between the two groups. No significant difference was found regarding the thyroid ultrasound findings. Although there was no significant difference between cases and controls regarding CRP levels, it is interesting that we observed a significant elevation in CRP in those acne patients who had positive antithyroglobulin antibodies. Conclusions It is likely that thyroid autoimmunity might be more frequent in the adult acne patients and this should be kept in mind when screening women with post‐adolescent acne.