The effect of deproteinized bovine bone on osteoblast growth factors and proinflammatory cytokine production.

OBJECTIVE: To test the ability of Bio-Oss in inducing growth factors and proinflammatory cytokines that may have a role in inflammation after grafting, bone resorption, remodeling and in the homeostasis of osteoblasts. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Normal human osteoblasts were seeded in Petri dishes containing granules of Bio-Oss, cells were harvested after confluency and RNA was extracted. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was performed using specific primers for osteonectin, bone sialoprotein (BSP), bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 and BMP-7, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and integrin beta1. Glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase was used as the housekeeping gene and normal human osteoblasts grown on Petri dishes without Bio-Oss granules were used as negative controls. RESULTS: Osteoblast grown on Bio-Oss showed a normal RNA expression of osteonectin, integrin beta1 and PDGF. However, compared with control osteoblasts it showed a reduced expression of BSP, BMP-2 and BMP-7, IL-6 and TNF-alpha. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings further support the evidence that Bio-Oss is an excellent biomaterial that does not enhance the production of proinflammatory cytokines.

Updated review of the pathogenesis and management of Merkel cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare, aggressive, malignant cutaneous tumor of the elderly or immunosuppressed individuals that usually appears on sun-exposed areas of the body. Its pathogenesis is still debated, and, currently, no standardized treatment exists. OBJECTIVE: To provide a current updated review of the most relevant data concerning the pathogenesis and management of Merkel cell carcinoma. METHODS: Using relevant MeSH terms, we performed a review of the literature on these subjects from 1980 to June 2009. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The current management of Merkel cell carcinoma is based on surgical excision as the majority of patients present with localized disease, whereas up to 30% have regional lymph node metastases. In these cases, the best outcome is achieved with multidisciplinary management that includes radiotherapy. Chemotherapy is part of the treatment in advanced cases and is mandatory for distant metastatis. Given that a recent work showed the presence of a previously unknown polyomavirus, which the authors called Merkel cell polyomavirus, the therapeutical approach to Merkel cell carcinoma could be reconsidered in the future.

Epidemiology and clinical and pathologic characteristics of cutaneous malignant melanoma in Abruzzo (Italy).

BACKGROUND: Malignant melanoma incidence has increased worldwide in recent decades. Cancer registry-derived epidemiologic data on malignant melanoma in Italy are available only in some northern regions of the country. AIM: To report the number and characteristics of incident cases of cutaneous malignant melanoma in Abruzzo, a central-southern Italian region. METHODS: Screening of the archives of the pathology departments of regional hospitals from 2002 to 2005 was performed. For each patient, clinical and pathologic data were collected. Cases of metastatic, multiple, or relapsing melanoma were excluded. RESULTS: Six hundred and seventy-two cases of primary melanoma were recorded, with an incidence rate of 14.1 per 100,000 inhabitants per year. Differences related to gender (41.1% males and 58.9% females) and age (35% in the 50-70-year age group) were found. The trunk (30.7%) and lower limbs (25.94%) were the most frequent sites observed. The superficial spreading histiotype and thin melanoma (< or = 1.00 mm) were more often recorded (44.8% and 62%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the bias present in this study, linked to the nature and source of the data, we believe that the figures found in this report are comparable with those obtained in the international literature from other Mediterranean countries.

Topical preparations for the treatment of psoriasis: results of a retrospective study over 15 years.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis requires lifelong treatments that depend on the extent, clinical forms and associated conditions. OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively analyze which topical treatments were used, their efficacy, and potential advantages and disadvantages. METHODS: A total of 666 patients admitted for the first time over 15 years who were topically treated were retrospectively reviewed and subdivided using clinical forms and PASI into four groups and four subgroups for the applied treatments. For each treatment the mean PASI was calculated daily: on the first, third and sixth day. An X sample statistical analysis and Mann--Whitney U-test were performed. The hospitalization time and correlation with the response to treatment were analyzed. RESULTS: A statistically significant response was recorded for every regimen. The best combination was clobetasol propionate plus eosin on alternate days with eosin plus cade oil. The highest score was recorded for the 'en plaques' psoriasis. The average length of treatment was of 7.5 days in the best combination. No statistically significant difference among the groups was recorded with respect to the length of hospitalization and PASI. CONCLUSION: The statistically significant response for all the topical treatments analyzed and recorded in this study does not exclude a potential benefit due to hospitalization per se.

Skin toxicity from glyphosate-surfactant formulation.

Glyphosate (N-[phosphonomethyl]glycine) is a nonselective herbicide used in agriculture as a foliage spray for the control and the destruction of herbaceous plants. Adverse skin reactions due to contact with this compound have been rarely described. We report a case of a 78-year-old woman presenting with extensive chemical burns on her trunk and legs caused by accidental contact with a glyphosate-surfactant formulation. The lesions healed in four weeks without scarring.

Spreading of epithelial cells on machined and sandblasted titanium surfaces: an in vitro study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this investigation was to determine the influence of the surface structure of dental implants on epithelial cell spreading and growth in vitro. Cell morphology on machined and sandblasted titanium surfaces was investigated. METHODS: A total of 10 machined and 10 sandblasted discs and 10 glass coverslips were used for the present study. Samples were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the cell spreading area was determined using a video image analysis system. RESULTS: After 24 hours incubation, keratinocytes grown on sandblasted titanium samples displayed numerous, long, and branched or dendritic filopodia closely adapted to the surface roughness. Filopodia varied from 3 to 12 microm in length and 0.1 to 0.3 microm in width. Cells cultured on a machined surface did not present such cytoplasmic extensions and displayed a round morphology. Keratinocytes seeded on glass coverslips were flat and edged by filopodia (maximum length 7 to 8 microm) on the spreading site of the cluster. Though cell morphology is comparable with that observed on sandblasted specimens, cytoplasmic extensions suggestive of strong adhesion and spreading attitude were less pronounced. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that sandblasted surfaces are the optimal substrata for epithelial cell adhesion and spreading.

A minimal form of Proteus syndrome presenting with macrodactyly and hand hyperplasia.

Proteus syndrome is a rare congenital disorder characterized by progressive course and great variability of clinical presentation with partial gigantism of extremities, hemihyperplasia with macrocephaly, epidermal nevus, mesodermal hamartomas and the presence of peculiar cerebriform masses on the palms/soles. Many atypical cases have been reported and this is probably due to the mosaicism of the genetic disorder displaying different clinical features. We describe a patient with an extremely mild form of Proteus syndrome presenting macrodactyly and hyperplasia of one hand which was misdiagnosed until the age of 33 years.