Pigmented Lesion Assay Aids Melanoma Biopsy Decisions

Use of a gene-based pigmented lesion assay (PLA) may result in fewer biopsies for benign lesions and greater accuracy in identifying melanomas, researchers say.
Reuters Health Information

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Adipocyte-myofibroblast transition as a possible pathophysiological step in androgenetic alopecia

Abstract

Appearance of local fibrotic structures around and beneath hair follicles during their involution is a known hallmark of androgenetic alopecia (AGA). We hypothesize that this fibrosis can be connected with recently uncovered adipocyte-myofibroblast transition (AMT) involving the dermal adipocytes. This reflects that AMT is at least partially androgen-dependent, and we propose that AMT may play a role in AGA.

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Silencing of Homeobox A5 Gene in the Stratum Corneum of Psoriasis

Abstract

Analysis of psoriatic parakeratotic cells is helpful for understanding the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Methylation analysis can be performed on psoriatic scales, but it is unclear whether genes can be silenced by DNA methylation in psoriatic stratum corneum. The present study was conducted to detect genes silenced in psoriatic stratum corneum. Methylation array analysis with 485,577 probes, quantitative real-time methylation-specific PCR (RT-MSP) and bisulfite sequencing were performed for 30 psoriatic scale samples, 6 fully developed psoriatic skin samples and 12 normal skin samples. Immunohistochemical staining of HOXA5 was performed for 29 psoriatic epidermal samples and 13 normal epidermal samples. The genome-wide methylation array detected two CpG sites within CpG islands (CGIs) located in promoter regions of HOXA5 and LIAS that had methylation levels of >0.6 in at least one of three psoriatic scale samples and of <0.2 in all three normal skin tissue samples (methylation rate range, 0.0 to 1.0). RT-MSP for HOXA5 CGI, in which the primers were successfully developed, revealed that the average methylation level of 27 psoriasis scales (60.2%) is significantly higher than that of 9 normal skin samples (34.6%) (P = 0.013). Immunohistochemical staining revealed that HOXA5 protein was not expressed in the stratum corneum of fully developed psoriatic epidermis, but the protein was expressed in the stratum corneum of incompletely developed epidermis and normal epidermis. In conclusion, HOXA5 can be silenced in the stratum corneum of psoriasis. The silenced gene was identified by non-invasive methylation analysis of psoriatic scales.

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Autoantigens ADAMTSL5 and LL37 are significantly upregulated in active Psoriasis and localized with keratinocytes, dendritic cells and other leukocytes

Abstract

Psoriasis is a common immune-mediated disease that affects 2-4% of individuals in North America and Europe. In the past decade, advances in research have led to an improved understanding of immune pathways involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and has spurred the development of targeted therapeutics. Recently, three psoriasis autoantigens have been described: cathelicidin (LL37), a disintegrin and metalloprotease domain containing thrombospondin type 1 motif-like 5 (ADAMTSL5), and lipid antigens generated by phospholipase A2 (PLA2) group IVD (PLA2G4D). It is important to establish the expression, regulation, and therapeutic modulation of these psoriasis autoantigens. In this study, we performed immunohistochemistry and two-color immunofluorescence on non-lesional and lesional psoriasis skin to characterize ADAMTSL5 and LL37, and their co-expression with T-cells, dendritic cells, neutrophils, and macrophages, which are the main immune cells that drive this disease. Our results showed that ADAMTSL5 and LL37 are significantly (p<0.05) increased in lesional skin and are co-expressed by many dendritic cells, macrophages, and some T-cells in the dermis. Gene expression analysis showed significant (p<0.05) upregulation of LL37 in lesional skin and significant downregulation following treatment with etanercept. ADAMTSL5 and LL37 are also significantly decreased by IL-17 or TNFα blockade, suggesting feed-forward induction of psoriasis autoantigens by disease-related cytokines.

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„Narrow band imaging“ zur Beurteilung laryngealer Schleimhautläsionen

Zusammenfassung

Die Anwendung von „narrow band imaging" (NBI) sowie weitere technische Entwicklungen bezüglich der Auflösung und Darstellung von endoskopischen Bildern haben die Laryngologie in den letzten 10 Jahren revolutioniert. Die Diagnostik und Therapie von Dysplasien und Frühkarzinomen ist bedeutend einfacher geworden. Auch bei benignen laryngealen Läsionen bestehen deutliche Vorteile. Im Mittelpunkt der Technik steht die Beurteilung epithelialer, bindegewebiger und vaskulärer Veränderungen bei unterschiedlichen Krankheitsbildern.

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An Unusual Differential Diagnosis of Orbital Cavernous Hemangioma: Ancient Schwannoma

Schwannomas are rare lesions of the orbit that can be confused with cavernous hemangioma on imaging studies. We report the case of an 84-year-old woman with a 9-year history of a tumoral lesion in the inferolateral left orbit. The imaging studies did not reveal specific characteristics, only bone remodeling due to the long evolution of the tumor. The patient underwent complete excision of the tumor by anterior orbitotomy via the inferior conjunctival fornix. The histopathological examination revealed an ancient schwannoma, a variant of schwannoma with uncommon histological features. The follow-up was uneventful. The present case emphasizes the importance of considering neural tumors in the differential diagnosis of orbital masses with bone changes and degenerative alterations such as hemorrhagic areas, cysts, and/or calcifications.
Case Rep Ophthalmol 2017;8:294–300

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Correction of chin ptosis

Publication date: Available online 8 May 2017
Source:International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Author(s): R. Torrealba, R. Fariña, S. Valladares, F. Sáez
Chin ptosis is described as a descent of the soft tissue from the symphyseal region to a position under the lower contour of the mandible. Given its multifactorial causes, treatment must be determined on a patient-by-patient basis. While augmentation of the submental crease is a versatile option for the correction of chin ptosis, this only corrects the soft tissue component. A technical modification to treat dynamic chin ptosis, associated with bone reduction in the mandibular symphysis, is presented here.



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