bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Upregulation of P‐cadherin expression in the lesional skin of pemphigus, Hailey‐Hailey disease and Darier’s disease
Authors: Hakuno Megumi , Akiyama Masashi , Shimizu Hiroshi , Wheelock Margaret J. , Nishikawa Takeji 
Published: March 2003

Background: Autoimmune blistering diseases, pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and pemphigus foliaceus (PF), are known to be caused by binding of autoantibodies to the desmosomal cadherins, desmoglein 3 and desmoglein 1, respectively. Recently, mutations in the genes coding Ca2+ pumps leads to inherited blistering diseases, Hailey‐Hailey disease (HHD) and Darier’s disease (DD). Cadherins are a family of Ca2+‐dependent cell adhesion molecules and P‐cadherin is one of the major cadherins expressed in the epidermis. Although detailed mechanisms of acantholysis of these blistering diseases have not been fully clarified, abnormal expression of cadherins caused by altered Ca2+ concentration due to the binding of autoantibodies to cell surface or by mutations in Ca2+ pumps is suggested to be involved in mechanisms of acantholysis of these atuoimmune and inherited blistering diseases. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether altered P‐cadherin expression is present in these diseases.Method: Distribution patterns of P‐cadherin in skin specimens from patients with PV (n=2), PF (n=2), HHD (n=4) and DD (n=3), were examined with confocal laser scanning microscopy using two anti‐P‐cadherin antibodies, 6A9 and NCC‐CAD‐299.Results: In normal control skin, P‐cadherin expression was restricted to the basal layer. In contrast, positive immunostaining of P‐cadherin was observed not only in the basal cells, but also in the suprabasal cells in lesional skin of all the acantholytic diseases.Conclusions: The present results clearly demonstrated that upregulation of P‐cadherin expression occurs in the acantholysis in all the four blistering diseases PV, PF, HHD and DD. Upregulation of P‐cadherin may be involved in the pathomechanism of both the autoimmune blistering diseases and the inherited blistering diseases.
S100A6 preferentially labels type C nevus cells and nevic corpuscles: additional support for Schwannian differentiation of intradermal nevi
Authors: Fullen D. R. , Reed J. A. , Finnerty B. , McNutt N. S. 
Published: March 2003

Background: Melanocytic nevi typically show a morphologic sequence of maturation from epithelioid “type A” cells to fusiform, Schwann cell‐like “type C” cells with dermal descent. Nevi may also produce Wagner‐Meissner‐like structures (nevic corpuscles). Previous studies have shown that this maturation of intradermal nevi recapitulates intermediate stages in Schwann cell development. In intradermal nevi, we have evaluated the pattern of S100A6 protein, a form of S100 found in Schwann cells.Methods: Formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded archival tissues were evaluated by immunohistochemistry using antibodies specific for S100A6 and S100B in 38 intradermal nevi (IDN). Ten neurofibromas (NF), 3 Schwannomas (SCH), 2 palisaded and encapsulated neuromas (PEN), and 2 granular cell tumors (GCT) were included as positive controls since these lesions have large numbers of Schwann cells.Results: Melanocytic nevi demonstrated preferential anti‐S100A6 staining of “type C” cells (36/38; 28 strong, 8 weak) and nevic corpuscles (25/38; 19 strong, 6 weak) compared to “type A” cells (17/38; 17 weak) and “type B” cells (17/38; 4 strong, 13 weak). All NF, SCH, and PEN stained strongly with anti‐S100A6. Both GCT were negative with anti‐S100A6 but positive with anti‐S100B.Conclusions: The pattern of S100A6 expression in intradermal nevi further supports the hypothesis that maturation in these lesions recapitulates features of Schwann cell differentiation. The lack of S100A6 expression by both GCT suggests that these lesions have lost this feature of Schwann cells, which may play a role in their peculiar phenotypic appearance.
Recurrent melanocytic nevus: a histologic and immunohistochemical evaluation
Authors: Hoang Mai P. , Prieto Victor G. , Burchette James L. , Shea Christopher R. 
Published: March 2003

Background: Recurrent melanocytic lesions may histologically resemble malignant melanoma.Methods: We evaluated the original nevi (ON) and recurrent nevi (RN) of 15 patients by routine histology and immunohistochemistry (IHC), examining expression of S‐100 protein, gp100 (with HMB‐45), MART‐1, tyrosinase, and the Ki‐67 proliferation marker.Results: Compared with ON, RN had a dermal scar, a significantly greater number of melanophages, and a greater extent of cellular atypia including prominent nucleoli and larger cell size. Architecturally, RN showed significantly less symmetry than ON; however, the percentage of junctional cohesive nests, the presence of suprabasal spread, and the degree of confluence were similar between ON and RN. Both ON and RN showed a decrease in expression of gp100 and tyrosinase with increasing depth (“maturation gradient”) and low proliferative activity in both the junctional (4.6% for ON vs. 4.13% for RN) and the dermal components (0.93% for ON vs. 1.45% for RN).Conclusions: RN exhibit a dermal scar, a greater number of melanophages, cytologic atypia, and asymmetry than ON, features that may raise concern about the possibility of malignant melanoma. However, the area with the irregular architectural pattern is restricted to the epidermis and dermis immediately above the scar. In addition, IHC helps to distinguish RN from malignant melanoma; specifically, RN demonstrate an immunohistochemical “maturation pattern” (with HMB‐45 and anti‐tyrosinase) and a low proliferative index (with Ki‐67).
Granulomatous lymphangitis of the scrotum and penis
Authors: Murphy Michael J. , Kogan Barry , Carlson J. Andrew 
Published: March 2003

Background: Acquired lymphedema of the genitalia is a rare childhood presentation and is more common in elderly individuals secondary to pelvic/abdomenal malignancy or its therapy or worldwide due to filariasis.Objective: Herein, we report a case of a healthy 11‐year‐old boy who presented with a 1‐year history of chronic, asymptomatic scrotal and penile swelling. Biopsy revealed edema, lymphangiectases and peri‐ and intralymphatic sarcoidal type granulomas. This histologic pattern of granulomatous lymphangitis is most commonly associated with orofacial granulomatosis (granulomatous cheilitis and Melkersson‐Rosenthal syndrome) and Crohn’s disease. Treatment with topical steroids and physical support has resulted in marked improvement. No systemic disease (Crohn’s disease) is evident 1 year later. Literature review revealed 44 cases of genital lymphedema with non‐infectious granulomas. The majority of these young patients had Crohn’s disease, frequently with anal involvement and a minority, both with and without Crohn’s disease, had orofacial granulomatosis.Conclusions: Granulomatous lymphangitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic idiopathic swelling of the genitalia, particularly in younger individuals. Further clinical examination, additional laboratory studies and close follow‐up for co‐existing or subsequent development of Crohn’s disease should be performed. The overlap between granulomatous lymphangitis of the genitalia, Crohn’s disease and orofacial granulomatosis suggest that granulomatous lymphangitis of the genitalia may represent a forme fruste of Crohn’s disease.
Expression of the fibroblast/macrophage marker 1B10 by spindle cells in Kaposi's sarcoma lesions and by Kaposi's sarcoma‐derived tumor cells
Authors:   Thierry Simonart, Degraef Chantale , Heenen Michel , Hermans Philippe , Van Vooren Jean‐Paul , Noel Jean‐Christophe 
Published: March 2003

Background:  Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a tumor whose ontogenic origin remains a matter of contention. KS tissues are characterized by predominant expression of endothelial markers, while KS‐derived cell cultures are usually characterized by expression of mesenchymal non‐endothelial cell markers.Aims:  In order to clarify the ontogenic origin of KS cells, we investigated the expression of the fibroblast/macrophage marker 1B10 in KS tissues (AIDS‐associated KS, n = 9; classic KS, n = 6; iatrogenic KS, n = 6) and in KS‐derived cell cultures.Results:  1B10 was expressed by loosely distributed spindle‐shaped cells in early ‘patch‐stage’ KS and by a variable proportion of spindle cells in late ‘plaque‐ and nodular‐stage’ KS. Using immunohistochemistry and immunoblot analysis, we found that, in vitro, reactivity for 1B10 was uniformly evidenced in fibroblasts and in KS‐derived spindle cell cultures, irrespective of their histological or epidemiological setting. By contrast, vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells were negative for 1B10.Conclusions:  These results suggest that the KS spindle cells isolated in vitro may represent a particular subpopulation of the KS spindle cell compartment.
Platelet involvement in cutaneous small vessel vasculitis
Authors: Meijer‐Jorna Lorine B. , Mekkes Jan R. , Van Der Wal Allard C. 
Published: March 2003

Background:  Secretory products of platelets serve important functions in inflammation and thrombosis. Participation of platelets in the tissue reaction associated with cutaneous small vessel vasculitis has not yet been evaluated, so we systematically investigated the presence of platelet aggregates in inflamed microvessels.Methods:  Thirty‐six biopsies containing vasculitis and 18 biopsies with perivascular or interface type dermatitis were reviewed and adjacent sections were immunohistochemically stained with anti‐CD61 antibody recognizing GPIIbIIIa receptors on platelets and with anti‐von Willebrand factor (anti‐vWF) antibody.Results:  Platelet aggregates were observed in 27 (75%) of the vasculitis biopsies and three (16.7%) of the perivascular dermatitis biopsies, of which two (11%) had traumatic vessel damage. In all vasculitis cases, platelet clumps were associated with diffuse immunostaining of the perivascular stroma with the initiator of platelet aggregation anti‐vWF. In the non‐vasculitis type of dermatitis anti‐vWF staining remained strictly limited to the cytoplasm of endothelial cells in 10 cases, and in eight cases there was also slight diffuse perivascular staining, albeit less extensively than in vasculitis cases.Conclusion:  Formation of platelet aggregates appears to play a thus far unrecognized role in cutaneous small vasculitis. Secretory products of platelets will likely contribute to the inflammatory response and tissue damage in vasculitis. Moreover, platelet immunohistochemistry may be helpful in the diagnosis of microvascular damage in paraffin sections.
Clear cell atypical fibroxanthoma:a clinicopathologic study
Authors: Crowson A. Neil , Carlson‐Sweet Kim , Macinnis Colleen , Taylor James R. , Battaglia Tammy , LaMar Walter L. , Minor David , Sutter Steven , Hill Tamara 
Published: March 2003

Introduction: The atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX) is considered by most authorities to represent a superficial or minimally invasive variant of malignant fibrous histiocytoma that most often presents as a solitary nodule on the sun‐exposed skin of the elderly. Among the rarest variants is the clear cell AFX, a lesion which raises consideration to a differential diagnosis encompassing a variety of neoplastic and non‐neoplastic clear cell proliferations.Methods:  We describe three cases of a distinctive cutaneous neoplasm arising in the sun‐exposed skin of elderly patients. In all cases, formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissue was available for analysis. The histology in concert with the immunophenotype was held to be diagnostic of the clear cell variant of AFX.Results:  All tumors comprised sheets of large cells with foamy cytoplasms and hyperchromatic, polyploid nuclei manifesting frequent and atypical mitoses. The critical cells in our cases expressed CD68 but none of CD3, CD20, CD34, S‐100 protein, muscle‐specific actin, factor XIIIa, Melan‐A, carcinoembryonic antigen, or cytokeratin.Conclusion:  Although typical examples of AFX provoke diagnostic consideration of spindle cell cancers of the skin (most often spindle cell melanoma, spindle cell squamous cell carcinoma, and leiomyosarcoma), the clear cell variant raises other differential diagnostic considerations instead. These include balloon cell melanoma, sebaceous carcinoma, pleomorphic liposarcoma, chordoma, parachordoma, tricholemmal carcinoma and clear cell squamous cell carcinoma. A diagnosis of AFX is one of exclusion; one must employ immunohistochemical markers to rule out the aforementioned differential diagnostic considerations. By reporting the fifth, sixth and seventh cases of clear cell AFX, we hope to alert dermatopathologists to this distinctive and unusual neoplasm, recognition of which is essential to avoid under‐ or over‐diagnosis and inappropriate therapy.
Problems in the interpretation of apparent ‘radial growth phase’ malignant melanomas that metastasize
Authors: Abramova Liana , L. Slingluff Craig , Patterson James W. 
Published: March 2003

Background:  The delineation of radial and vertical growth phases in primary cutaneous malignant melanomas has contributed to our understanding of melanoma progression and has enhanced the ability of pathologists to provide clinicians with meaningful prognostic information. Vertical growth phase (VGP) lesions have the potential to metastasize, but radial growth phase (RGP) melanomas are believed to lack competence for metastasis.Methods:  We have identified three cases in which metastasis occurred in association with lesions initially interpreted as RGP melanomas. To determine whether these cases truly represented exceptional metastasizing RGP melanomas or VGP lesions incorrectly identified as RGP lesions, careful microscopic re‐review of these cases was performed.Results:  In one case, additional microscopic sectioning revealed a focus of vertical growth that was not evident on the original sections. In the other two cases, only radial growth was found. In one of these cases there was melanoma in situ with regressive changes, but no evidence for invasive melanoma. In the other, a RGP lesion was associated with an adjacent compound nevus with periadnexal involvement.Conclusions: These cases suggest that, while true RGP melanomas have an excellent prognosis, caution must be exercised in defining a lesion as having no metastatic potential when multiple sections of the primary lesion are unavailable, when the lesion is accompanied by regressive changes, or when there is an associated melanocytic nevus. It is possible that strictly defined RGP melanomas may metastasize in very rare cases. Our observations also suggest that metastatic potential is a function of numerous factors, and may not be evaluable on morphological grounds alone.
A comparison between videotaped and live demonstrations, for the teaching of removable partial denture procedures
Authors: Packer M. E. , Rogers J. O. , Coward T. J. , Newman P. S. , Wakeley R. 
Published: March 2003

Aim: This study was devised to test the effectiveness of videotaped demonstrations as opposed to live demonstrations, to small groups of undergraduate dental students. The outcome was assessed by comparing the students' understanding of the clinical and laboratory technical stages of the altered cast impression technique, which is used in the construction of removable partial dentures.Method: 31 students watched a series of videotaped demonstrations and 30 received a similar series of live demonstrations. The altered cast procedure was divided into 5 distinct stages, each of which was assessed with the aid of agreed criteria, initially by the students and then by 2 staff assessors and these results were compared. The students were subsequently asked to rate how helpful the videotaped or live demonstration had been on a 5‐point scale.Results: The live demonstration group showed better agreement between the students' assessment and the assessors' assessment of the quality of the work for the first part of the clinical stage. There was no difference in the groups' assessment of the final outcome of this clinical stage and the subsequent laboratory technical stages. Students who observed the live demonstrations indicated higher scores for its helpfulness in performance of all the stages of the technique, when compared to those who had observed a videotaped demonstration.Conclusion: Both teaching methods developed a similar level of understanding of the principles behind the exercise, although the students preferred the live demonstrations. A carefully produced videotaped demonstration can be a useful alternative to a live demonstration in teaching the short and clear cut technique selected for this study.
Students' evaluation of online course materials in Fixed Prosthodontics: a case study
Authors: Pilcher Elizabeth S. 
Published: March 2003

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess a new online course format for dental students. Preclinical Fixed Prosthodontics I is a didactic and laboratory course given in the first year of the dental school curriculum. In the spring semester of 1999, the didactic portion of the course was offered in a web‐based format as a supplement to the traditional lecture format.Methods: The study population was 53 first year dental students at one school. The study design was a one group post test without a control group. The online questionnaire consisted of multiple choice questions, Leikert scale questions and open‐ended questions. Data were collected using Filemaker Pro and analyzed using EpiInfo.Results: Student response rate was 96% (52/53). All of the students responded that they felt comfortable with their computer skills in utilizing this course format. Most (96%) responded that the online materials were either very helpful or helpful to them. About half, (54%) recommended that the online format be continued as a supplement to traditional lectures, while 28% recommended replacing traditional lectures with the new format in order to provide more laboratory time in the course. The syllabus, lecture materials, bulletin board and handouts were found to be the most helpful online features. The least helpful features were the listserve, decision tree, and e‐mail options. Most frequently mentioned strengths of the online material were listed as 1) the ability to view material at their own pace and at a time convenient to them, 2) quality photographs in lecture materials and 3) online quizzes. Weaknesses of the course were ranked by students as 1) problems with access to the materials and the intranet system, 2) taking quizzes online and 3) difficulty in printing the web‐based lecture materials.Conclusions: The delivery of web‐based material as a course supplement in Fixed Prosthodontics I was determined to be an overall success. Fine tuning of problems with access to the materials took place throughout the course. The student feedback will help direct future development of web‐based course materials in the dental school curriculum.
Abundance and species richness as a function of food resources and vegetation structure: juvenile fish assemblages in rivers
Authors: Grenouillet Gaël , Pont Didier , Seip Knut L. 
Published: March 2003

Availability of food and habitat complexity are two factors generally invoked to explain the high density of fish in vegetated habitats. The role of food resources (zooplankton) and habitat complexity (expressed by a vegetation structural index) in determining juvenile fish abundance and fish species richness in three morphologically contrasted macrophyte types (Sagittaria, Ceratophyllum and Nuphar) was studied for a large, lowland river.

Our results showed that fish abundance increased with food availability, and was maximal for intermediate values of vegetation complexity. Food resources and vegetation complexity did not, however, explain the higher juvenile fish abundance observed in Sagittaria beds. We suggested that plant growth form, acting on fish foraging success and risk of predation, might influence patterns of juvenile fish distribution.  Species‐abundance relationships were similar among the three macrophyte types, but relationships between number of fish species (fish richness) and number of samples differed. Fish richness in terms of total number of fish species found at each sampling point showed the same pattern as for fish abundance: it increased with food availability and was highest at intermediate vegetation complexities. However, since both fish abundance and fish richness responded in the same manner to food availability and vegetation complexity, we were not able to distinguish statistically any effect for the specific fish richness formulated by the number of fish species per unit fish abundance. The current paradigm that structural complexity of vegetation provides a wider range of niches, increasing species diversity, was thus not verified. This finding indicates a simple species‐abundance relationship (the passive sampling hypothesis), and suggests that no special mechanism acts directly on fish species richness.
Acute clinical events in 299 homozygous sickle cell patients living in France
Authors: Neonato Maria Grazia , Guilloud‐Bataille Monique , Beauvais Pierre , Bégué Pierre , Belloy Marie , Benkerrou Malika , Ducrocq Rolande , Maier‐Redelsperger Micheline , De Montalembert Mariane , Quinet Béatrice , Elion Jacques , Feingold Josué , Girot Robert ,   French Study Group on Sickle Cell Disease
Published: March 2003

Abstract: A subset of 299 patients with homozygous sickle cell anaemia, enrolled in the cohort of the French Study Group on sickle cell disease (SCD), was investigated in this study. The majority of patients were children (mean age 10.1±5.8 yr) of first generation immigrants from Western and Central Africa, the others originated from the French West Indies (20.2%). We report the frequency of the main clinical events (mean follow‐up 4.2±2.2 yr). The prevalence of meningitis‐septicaemia and osteomyelitis was, respectively, 11.4% and 12% acute chest syndrome was observed in 134 patients (44.8%). Twenty patients (6.7%) developed stroke with peak prevalence at 10–15 yr of age. One hundred and seventy‐two patients (58%) suffered from one or more painful sickle cell crises, while the others (42.5%) never suffered from pain. The overall frequency of acute anaemic episodes was 50.5%, (acute aplastic anaemia 46%; acute splenic sequestration 26%). A group of 27 patients were asymptomatic (follow‐up >3 yr).Epistatic mechanisms influencing SCD were studied. Coinherited α‐thalassemia strongly reduced the risk of stroke (p<0.001) and increased that of painful crises (p<0.02). There was a low prevalence of Senegal and Bantu (CAR) βs‐chromosomes in patients with meningitis (p<0.04) and osteomyelitis (p<0.03). Prevalence of Senegal βs‐chromosomes was lower in the asymptomatic group of 27 patients (p<0.02). The patients come from a population of unmixed immigrants in whom the β‐globin gene haplotype strongly reflects the geographic origin and identifies subgroups with a homogenous genetic background. Thus the observed effects might result more from differences in as yet unidentified determinants in the genetic background than from the direct linkage with differences in the β‐globin gene locus.