Mucin deposits in morphea and systemic scleroderma

BACKGROUND

Though rarely reported, mucin deposition may be observed in scleroderma.

OBJECTIVE

To verify the frequency of significant amounts of mucin in the biopsy specimens.

METHODS

Biopsies from 20 patients with scleroderma were reviewed and stained to verify the presence of mucin.

RESULTS

Mucin deposits were found in all of the 20 specimens.

CONCLUSION

Mucin deposition is probably a constant feature in both morphea and systemic scleroderma. Its relevance in differential diagnosis between scleredema and scleroderma is debatable.

[A case of latero-cervical cystic lymphangioma]

A case of cervical cystic lymphangioma referred to a 28-year-old woman is reported. Surgical excision remains the treatment of choice.

[Expression of P53 protein in cutaneous melanoma]

P53 protein in cutaneous melanoma. We report the results of an immunohistochemical analysis about the nuclear phosphoprotein P53 expression performed on 48 primary and 10 metastatic cutaneous melanoma in order to assess the prevalence of the expression of mutant P53 protein (m-P53) in this skin tumour. In our study m-P53 was found in about 46% of primary tumours without any significant relationship with the corresponding metastatic lesions. Therefore the P53 count in cutaneous melanoma is not a prognostic marker of tumour spread and aggressiveness.

Nucleolar organizer regions: a prognostic factor in infiltrating ductal carcinoma in the breast

By means of an AgNOR technique, the authors have carried out a retrospective study on proliferative activity in 170 cases of infiltrating ductal breast carcinoma (so-called carcinoma NOS). The follow-up period was 138 months. A statistically significant correlation was found between AgNOR score and outcome of the disease ("vital status"), clinical stage and OS respectively. By means of discriminant analysis a threshold value of AgNOR score was identified (= 9.5) which distinguished two risk groups among the cases under examination. Those cases with an average AgNOR score below the threshold value showed a favourable prognosis. The cases with an AgNOR score greater than 9.5 had an unfavourable outcome. The authors suggest that AgNOR score may be used as a prognostic parameter in breast carcinoma.

Is ethanol metabolism affected by oral administration of cimetidine and ranitidine at therapeutic doses?

The aim of this study was to compare the ethanol serum concentration curve, the area under the curve and subjective response after acute ingestion of ethanol (red wine, 13 degrees proof, at a dose of 0.8 g/kg of ideal weight in 6 healthy volunteers with a mean habitual alcohol intake of 20 g/day. All the subjects underwent the test a total of three times, after pre-treatment with cimetidine (400 mg X 2/day/7 days) and ranitidine (150 mg X 2/day/7 days), respectively, and after receiving no pre-treatment. The wine was taken orally within the space of 15 min, four hours after taking a standard-weight ham sandwich. Blood samples were drawn at the following times: 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240 and 360 minutes. The plasma ethanol curve of the subjects pre-treated with cimetidine lies above that of the subjects pre-treated with ranitidine, and largely coincides with the curve obtained in those who received no pre-treatment, with the exception of the initial hour-and-a-half, when the later show a slightly higher mean plasma concentration. The differences between the three treatment groups are merely arithmetical, but not statistical, with respect to peak plasma ethanol concentrations, time elapsing before peaking, and areas under the curves. These results are at variance with some published data suggesting a significant interaction of cimetidine with the metabolism of alcohol by way of interference either with the hepatic oxidative metabolizing enzymes, or with the activity of alcohol dehydrogenase.

Cardiac effects of clomipramine treatment. ECG and left ventricular systolic time intervals

ECGs and left ventricular systolic time intervals were studied in 26 patients suffering from major depressive disorder treated with clomipramine. ECGs did not show, with one exception, drug-induced changes. The ratio of pre-ejection period to left ventricular ejection time, both corrected for heart rate (PEPc/LVETc), presented no significant changes, as compared with initial findings, in the group of patients considered as a whole. 27% of patients, however, showed individual percent changes greater than 8%, both increases and decreases having been observed. Cardiac findings were in no way related to clomipramine plasma levels.