Early Lesions (early + lesion)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Medical Sciences


Selected Abstracts


Dermoscopy Identifies Histopathologically Indiscernible Malignant Lesion of Atypical Melanosis of the Foot, an Early Lesion of Acral Lentiginous Melanoma In Situ

DERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 7 2008
HSIU-HUI CHIU MD
First page of article [source]


Therapeutic effects of complex rearing or bFGF after perinatal frontal lesions

DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2008
Wendy Comeau
Abstract We investigated the effects of an enriched environment and/or basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on recovery from neonatal frontal injury in rats. Rats received medial frontal lesions, or sham surgery, on postnatal day (P) 2/3. In the first set of experiments (Experiments 1 and 2), rats were housed in enriched environments that consisted of a large enclosure with multiple objects (or standard housing) for 90 days beginning at weaning (P22) or in adulthood (P110). In Experiment 3, the rats either received 7 days of subcutaneous bFGF beginning on the day after surgery or bFGF plus enriched housing beginning at weaning. After the 90-day housing period, the animals were tested on a spatial navigation task and a skilled reaching task. Early lesions of the medial frontal cortex caused severe impairments in spatial learning but this deficit was markedly reduced with enriched housing, bFGF, or a combination of both, with the latter being most effective. The housing effects varied with age, however: the earlier the experience began, the better the outcome. Enriched housing increased dendritic length in cortical pyramidal neurons, an effect that was greater in the lesion than the control animals, and enriched housing reversed the lesion-induced decrease in spine density. Enriched environment increased the thickness of the cortical mantle in both lesion and controls whereas bFGF had no effect. Experience thus can affect functional and anatomical outcome after early brain injury but the effects vary with age at experience and may be facilitated by treatment with bFGF. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 50: 134,146, 2008. [source]


Temporal expression of growth factors and matrix molecules in healing tendon lesions

JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 1 2005
Linda A. Dahlgren
Abstract Overuse tendon injuries are common among elite and recreational athletes. Tendon healing may be enhanced at the cellular level through the use of exogenous growth factors; however, little is known about the endogenous expression of growth factors in healing tendon. This study describes the temporal expression of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), transforming growth factor-,1 (TGF-,1), and collagen types I and III in healing tendon lesions. Collagenase-induced lesions were created in the tensile region of the flexor digitorum superficialis tendon of both forelimbs of 14 horses. Tendons were harvested from euthanatized horses 1, 2, 4, 8 or 24 weeks following injury. Gene expression was evaluated using Northern blot analysis (collagen types I and III), real time PCR (IGF-I and TGF-,1), and in situ hybridization. Protein content was assayed by dye-binding assay (collagen types I and III), radioimmunoassay (IGF-I), ELISA (TGF-,1), and immunohistochemistry. Samples were also processed for differential collagen typing. DNA and glycosaminoglycan content, and routine H&E staining. Microscopically, lesions progressed from an amorphous, acellular lesion soon after injury to scar tissue filled with collagen fibers and mature fibroblasts organized along lines of tension. Early lesions were characterized by immediate increases in expression of growth factors and collagen. Message levels for TGF-,1 peaked early in the wound healing process (1 week), while IGF-I peaked later (4 weeks), as the regenerative phase of healing was progressing. In the first 2 weeks after lesion induction, tissue levels of IGF-I protein actually decreased approximately 40% compared to normal tendon. By 4 weeks, these levels had exceeded those of normal tendon and remained elevated through 8 weeks. Message expression for collagen types I and III increased by 1 week following injury and remained elevated throughout the course of the study. Collagen type I represented the major type of collagen in healing tendon at all time points of the study. Based on these results, IGF-I, administered exogenously during the first 2 weeks following injury, may provide a therapeutic advantage by bolstering low endogenous tissue levels and enhancing the metabolic response of individual tendon fibroblasts. © 2004 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. [source]


Plasticity of the visual system after early brain damage

DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE & CHILD NEUROLOGY, Issue 10 2010
ANDREA GUZZETTA
The aim of this review is to discuss the existing evidence supporting different processes of visual brain plasticity after early damage, as opposed to damage that occurs during adulthood. There is initial evidence that some of the neuroplastic mechanisms adopted by the brain after early damage to the visual system are unavailable at a later stage. These are, for example, the ability to differentiate functional tissue within a larger dysplastic cortex during its formation, or to develop new thalamo-cortical connections able to bypass the lesion and reach their cortical destination in the occipital cortex. The young brain also uses the same mechanisms available at later stages of development but in a more efficient way. For example, in people with visual field defects of central origin, the anatomical expansion of the extrastriatal visual network is greater after an early lesion than after a later one, which results in more efficient mechanisms of visual exploration of the blind field. A similar mechanism is likely to support some of the differences found in people with blindsight, the phenomenon of unconscious visual perception in the blind field. In particular, compared with people with late lesions, those with early brain damage appear to have stronger subjective awareness of stimuli hitting the blind visual field, reported as a conscious feeling that something is present in the visual field. Expanding our knowledge of these mechanisms could help the development of early therapeutic interventions aimed at supporting and enhancing visual reorganization at a time of greatest potential brain plasticity. [source]


An early lesion in hepatic carcinogenesis: Loss of heterozygosity in human cirrhotic livers and dysplastic nodules at the 1p36-p34 region

HEPATOLOGY, Issue 6 2001
Min Sun
Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of chromosome 1 has been suggested, by karyotyping, to be an initial episode in human hepatocarcinogenesis. However, this alteration has not yet been investigated in cirrhotic nodules (CNs) or dysplastic nodules (DNs). In an initial study from explanted or resected cirrhotic livers, LOH in 1p36-p32 was examined in 31 hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), 25 low-grade dysplastic nodules (LGDNs), and 24 high-grade dysplastic nodules (HGDNs). In HCCs, LOH was detected most frequently at loci D1S2843 (1p36.1) (28.6%), D1S513 (1p34.3) (29.2%), and MYCL1 (1p34.1) (28.6%). In HGDN and LGDN, LOH incidences at D1S513 were 11.1% and 13.6%, respectively. To further refine those results and to determine sequential relationships among CN, DN, and HCC, LOH was next studied in an additional 53 HCCs, 56 HGDNs, 30 LGDNs, and 215 CNs from 11 explanted human cirrhotic livers, including 30 "nodule-in-nodule" lesions. Seven markers between D1S2843 (1p36.12) and MYCL1 (1p34.1), and 1 each at D1S484 (1q24.1), IGF2R-3 (6q26), and TP53 (17p13.1) were used. LOH at D1S2843 and D1S513 was detected in HCCs (20.4% and 23.5%, respectively), HGDNs (7.7% and 18.5%), LGDNs (13.6% and 6.9%), and CNs surrounding either HCCs or DNs (7.4% and 8.3%). These results demonstrate that LOH at D1S2843 and D1S513 are early events in human liver carcinogenesis. Data from CN surrounding either HCCs or DN, and also nodule-in-nodule lesions, provide evidence supporting a CN,DN,HCC progression. Different deletion patterns from multiple HCCs and DNs suggest independent origins for carcinogenesis in the same individual. [source]


Multiple keratoacanthomas in a young woman: report of a case emphasizing medical management and a review of the spectrum of multiple keratoacanthomas

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 1 2007
Ron J. Feldman MD
A 27-year-old white woman was referred for consultation with regard to the presence of extensive multiple keratotic lesions. She began to develop these lesions at the age of 9 years, with healing of the lesions resulting in scar formation. A biopsy was performed at the age of 16 years, but the patient was unsure of the results. Since then, she had not had any treatment or biopsies, and stated that she had not suffered from any health problems during the intervening period. She was most concerned about the tumors on her heels and soles, which caused difficulty with ambulation. The family history was negative for skin diseases, including melanoma, nonmelanoma skin cancer, psoriasis, and eczema, and positive for Type II diabetes mellitus. A relative reported that the patient's grandfather had similar lesions, but the patient's parents and siblings were healthy. She was married and had one child, a 9-year-old daughter. Her child had no skin lesions. The patient's only medication was Ortho-Tricyclene birth control pills. She had no known drug allergies. Physical examination revealed the presence of multiple lesions on her body (Fig. 1). Her left superior helix contained a well-demarcated, dome-shaped nodule with a rolled, mildly erythematous border with a central hyperkeratotic plug. A similar lesion was present in the scaphoid fossa of the left ear and smaller lesions were scattered on her face. Numerous lesions were present on the arms and legs bilaterally, with the majority of lesions being located on the anterior lower legs. There were also lesions present on the palms and soles. The lesions ranged in size from 5 mm to 3 cm, the largest being a verrucous exophytic nodule on the anterior aspect of her left leg. Overall, there appeared to be two distinct types of lesion. One type appeared round, oval, and symmetric with a central keratotic plug, similar to that on the ear. The other type was larger, more exophytic, and verrucous, including the lesions on the volar surfaces. Also present were numerous, irregularly shaped atrophic scars where previous lesions had healed spontaneously. There were no oral lesions or lesions on her fingernails or toenails, and her teeth and hair were normal. Figure 1. Initial presentation of left ear and anterior legs before treatment A biopsy was obtained from an early lesion on the right dorsal forearm. Histology revealed an exo-/endophytic growth having a central crater containing keratinous material (Fig. 2). The crater was surrounded by markedly hyperplastic squamous epithelium with large squamous epithelial cells having abundant glassy cytoplasm. Some cells were dyskeratotic. Within the dermis was a dense, chiefly mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate. A buttress of epidermis surrounded the crater. The clinical and pathologic data were consistent with keratoacanthomas. Figure 2. Keratoacanthoma exhibiting an exo- and endophytic growth pattern with a central crater containing keratin (hematoxylin and eosin; original magnification, ×40) Initial laboratory screenings revealed elevated triglycerides and total cholesterol, 537 mg/dL (normal, < 150 mg/dL) and 225 mg/dL (normal, < 200 mg/dL), respectively, with all other laboratory results within normal limits. In anticipation of starting oral retinoid therapy for her multiple keratoacanthomas, she was referred to her primary care physician for control of hyperlipidemia. After her lipids had been controlled, she was placed on isotretinoin (Accutane) 40 mg/day. There was some interval improvement with regression of some lesions leaving atrophic scars. She was also started on topical application of tazarotene (Tazorac) for all nonresolving lesions. Possible side-effects from the isotretinoin occurred, including dry mouth and eyes. After 8 months of isotretinoin, the patient was switched to acitretin (Soriatane) 25 mg to determine whether it might have a more beneficial effect on the resistant lesions. Many of the larger lesions regressed leaving atrophic scars. The dose of acitretin was subsequently increased to 35 mg because the lesions on her heel and the ball of her foot persisted. Almost all of the lesions resolved, except those on her feet, which are slowly regressing. Currently, the patient is on a regimen of acitretin 25 mg once a day with tazarotene 0.1% gel applied directly to the few residual keratoacanthomas on her feet, which are slowly improving. [source]


Feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions: unveiling the early lesion

JOURNAL OF SMALL ANIMAL PRACTICE, Issue 11 2002
C. Gorrel
The purpose of this study was to increase understanding of the factors initiating feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions (FORLs). Fifty-six teeth (clinically and radiographically unaffected by ORLs) were harvested. Of these, 43 were from cats that had ORLs in other teeth (group A) and 13 were from cats with no clinical or radiographic evidence of ORLs in any teeth (group B). Twenty-six teeth in group A and one tooth in group B showed histological evidence of external root resorption (surface resorption and replacement resorption resulting in ankylosis). Some teeth in group B showed healed cementum resorption. It has previously been assumed that FORLs were similar to lesions associated with peripheral inflammatory root resorption, and were associated with periodontal disease. These histological findings suggest instead that a FORL is a non-inflammatory replacement resorption, resulting in ankylosis. The periodontal ligament of resorbing teeth lacked normal fibrous architecture, but was not inflamed. Resorption was not identified in cervical cementum. However, the histological appearance of the cervical cementum differed between the two groups. Several aetiopathogenetic explanatory models which arise from these observations are discussed. [source]


Chemopreventive Effect of Celecoxib in Oral Precancers and Cancers,

THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 10 2006
Lining Feng PhD
Abstract Objectives: Oral cancer has become an important health care problem in many countries. Because this disease develops slowly, early detection and intervention can greatly affect ultimate outcome. Celecoxib is a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor with significantly less toxicity. This study investigated the possibility of using it for chemoprevention of oral cancer at the early stages. Study Design: Randomized animal study. Methods: Dysplastic lesions were induced in the buccal pouches of 47 hamsters by a 5 week painting of 9,10-dimethl-1,2-benzanthrancene (DMBA). Basal diets or diets containing 500 or 1,500 ppm of Celecoxib were orally given for 7 weeks. The T50 (50% incidence; i.e., the time to appearance of tumors in 50% of the hamsters) was observed, and volume of tumors was measured on day 1, 9, 19, 28, 35, and 48 with the Celecoxib treatment. Results: The T50 was 9, 19, and 28 days with the treatment in the control group, in the 500 ppm group, and in the 1,500 ppm group, respectively. It indicated that the Celecoxib treatment could delay progression of early lesion. The tumor measurement showed that this treatment was also effective in delaying tumor growth in both treatment groups. There was a difference in the treatment efficacy between the 500 ppm and 1,500 ppm of Celecoxib, indicating a dose-dependent efficacy. Conclusions: Celecoxib is effective in delaying onset of early lesions induced by DMBA and in slowing growth of the tumors in hamster cheek pouches during the postinitiation stage. Its treatment efficacy appears to be dose dependent. [source]


Reorganization of the developing human brain after early lesions

DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE & CHILD NEUROLOGY, Issue 8 2007
Martin Staudt
No abstract is available for this article. [source]


Human colon cancer epithelial cells harbour active HEDGEHOG-GLI signalling that is essential for tumour growth, recurrence, metastasis and stem cell survival and expansion

EMBO MOLECULAR MEDICINE, Issue 6-7 2009
Frédéric Varnat
Abstract Human colon cancers often start as benign adenomas through loss of APC, leading to enhanced ,CATENIN (,CAT)/TCF function. These early lesions are efficiently managed but often progress to invasive carcinomas and incurable metastases through additional changes, the nature of which is unclear. We find that epithelial cells of human colon carcinomas (CCs) and their stem cells of all stages harbour an active HH-GLI pathway. Unexpectedly, they acquire a high HEDGEHOG-GLI (HH-GLI) signature coincident with the development of metastases. We show that the growth of CC xenografts, their recurrence and metastases require HH-GLI function, which induces a robust epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Moreover, using a novel tumour cell competition assay we show that the self-renewal of CC stem cells in vivo relies on HH-GLI activity. Our results indicate a key and essential role of the HH-GLI1 pathway in promoting CC growth, stem cell self-renewal and metastatic behavior in advanced cancers. Targeting HH-GLI1, directly or indirectly, is thus predicted to decrease tumour bulk and eradicate CC stem cells and metastases. [source]


Lymphoscintigraphy of draught horses with chronic progressive lymphoedema

EQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 2 2006
H. E. V. De Cock
Summary Reasons for performing study: Early diagnosis of chronic progressive lymphoedema (CPL) may result in more effective interventions and provide a basis for further investigation of whether early diagnosis could be used as a means of eliminating potential genetic influences by cessation of breeding from affected individuals. Hypothesis: Lymphoscintigraphy may be useful in draught horses to differentiate early lesions of CPL from other conditions in the pastern region. Methods: Forelimbs of 2 normal and 5 CPL-affected draught horses were evaluated with lymphoscintigraphy. Results: Lymphoscintigraphy showed clearly the presence of interstitial fluid stasis and delayed lymphatic drainage in the affected extremities of diseased animals in contrast to normal animals of these breeds. The rate of decreased clearance of a particulate radiopharmaceutical from the tissues was related positively to the severity of clinical signs. Conclusions and potential relevance: Our findings support the hypothesis that lymph stasis is probably responsible for the progressive swelling and concurrent skin lesions observed in association with CPL in draught horses. Lymphoscintigraphy should also prove useful in diagnosis of CPL in draught horses, even in the mild stages of the disease; such early diagnosis may result in more effective intervention. [source]


Influence of liver copper status of mare and newborn foal on the development of osteochondrotic lesions

EQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 1 2003
P. R. van WEEREN
Summary Reason for performing study: To elucidate the highly contentious role of copper in the pathogenesis of osteochondrosis. Hypothesis: There would be no relationship between liver copper concentration of mares and foals and incidence of radiographically detectable osteochondrotic lesions in foals and yearlings was tested. Methods: Liver copper concentration was assessed in biopsies taken within 4 days after birth from both mares and foals and from the same foals at age 5 months. Biopsies were taken in the standing, sedated animal under ultrasonographic guidance. Radiographs were taken of both hocks (lateromedial, dorsoplantar and dorsomedial-plantarolateral oblique views) and stifles (lateromedial and caudolateral-craniomedial oblique views) at ages 5 and 11 months and scored for the presence and severity of osteochondrotic lesions. Results: Copper concentrations in newborn foals were high with a large variation (351 ± 201 mg/kg DM). They declined until reaching values comparable to those in mature animals at 5 months (20 ± 8 mg/kg DM; mares: 19 ± 20 mg/kg DM). Radiographic osteochondrotic lesions decreased in number and severity from 5 to 11 months. This pattern was more predominant in the stifle than in the hock, as has been described previously. Conclusions: There was no relationship between foal or mare liver copper concentration and osteochondrosis status at either 5 or 11 months. However, osteochondrotic lesions in foals with low-level copper status at birth decreased significantly less in number and severity than those in foals with high-level copper status at birth. Potential relevance: It is concluded that copper is not likely to be an important factor in the aetiopathogenesis of osteochondrosis, but this study indicates that there may be a significant effect of high copper status on the natural process of repair of early lesions. [source]


Effect of a combination of fluoride dentifrice and varnish on enamel surface rehardening and fluoride uptake in vitro

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORAL SCIENCES, Issue 1 2003
Lucianne Cople Maia
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of combining fluoride dentifrice (FD) and varnish (FV) on in vitro enamel surface rehardening and on fluoride uptake under a pH-cycling regimen. Seventy-eight bovine enamel blocks with early lesions were used and 52 were divided into four treatment groups: (a) placebo non-fluoridated dentifrice (PD); (b); FD (1100 p.p.m. F as NaF); (c); FV (Duraphat) + PD; and (d) FV + FD. The FV was applied to enamel blocks of groups FV + PD and FV + FD before the pH-cycling regimen, and all of them were submitted to dentifrice during cycling. Surface enamel microhardness was determined on the dental blocks before and after demineralization, and after the pH-cycling regimen. The percentage of surface microhardness recovery (%SMHR) was calculated. Fluoride in the blocks was also determined, after removing three layers of enamel. The highest values of percentage SMHR were observed for the FD group. The greatest fluoride uptake was found in the FD and FV + FD groups, but the difference between them was not statistically significant. It was found that the frequent use of fluoride dentifrice resulted in greater benefit in enamel surface rehardening, with a similar effect on fluoride uptake, when compared with its combination with a single fluoride varnish application. [source]


Genetic and phenotypic analysis of B-cell post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders provides insights into disease biology

HEMATOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY, Issue 4 2008
Efsevia Vakiani
Abstract B-cell post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) are classified as early lesions, polymorphic lymphomas (P-PTLD) and monomorphic lymphomas (M-PTLD). These morphologic categories are thought to reflect a biologic continuum, although supporting genetic data are lacking. To gain better insights into PTLD pathogenesis, we characterized the phenotypes, immunoglobulin (Ig) gene alterations and non-Ig gene (BCL6, RhoH/TTF, c-MYC, PAX5, CIITA, BCL7A, PIM1) mutations of 21 PTLD, including an IM-like lesion, 8 P-PTLD and 12 M-PTLD. Gene expression profile analysis was also performed in 12 cases. All PTLD with clonal Ig rearrangements showed evidence of germinal centre (GC) transit based on the analysis of Ig and BCL6 gene mutations, and 74% had a non-GC phenotype (BCL6,±,MUM1+). Although surface Ig abnormalities were seen in 6/19 (32%) PTLD, only three showed ,crippling' Ig mutations indicating other etiologies for loss of the B-cell receptor. Aberrant somatic hypermutation (ASHM) was almost exclusively observed in M-PTLD (8/12 vs. 1/8 P-PTLD) and all three recurrent cases analysed showed additional mutations in genes targeted by ASHM. Gene expression analysis showed distinct clustering of PTLD compared to B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (B-NHL) without segregation of P-PTLD from non-GC M-PTLD or EBV+ from EBV, PTLD. The gene expression pattern of PTLD appeared more related to that of memory and activated B-cells. Together, our results suggest that PTLD represent a distinct type of B-NHL deriving from an antigen experienced B-cell, whose evolution is associated with accrual of genetic lesions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Quantification of dental caries by osteologists and odontologists,a validity and reliability study,

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OSTEOARCHAEOLOGY, Issue 5 2010
C. Liebe-Harkort
Abstract As in modern populations, dental caries in early populations is linked to diet and general health. In order to record not only advanced disease states with frank cavitation of teeth but also early lesions, indicating the presence of the disease in a population, it is important that the archaeologist can correctly detect and classify lesions of varying severity. The present study compares and contrasts quantification of dental caries by osteologists and odontologists. Four osteologists and four odontologists undertook visual and radiographic inspection of 61 teeth from three different sources: medieval, 19th century and modern. Separate sets of criteria were applied to disclose observer confidence in detecting a lesion and in estimating lesion extent. For validation of visual assessments, the teeth were sectioned. Radiographic assessments were validated by a specialist in dental radiography. The results disclosed that the odontologists in general showed greater sensitivity than the osteologists, correctly identifying carious lesions, but the osteologists had higher specificity, correctly identifying healthy teeth. Thus, the osteologists tend to overlook carious lesions (under-diagnosis), while the odontologists tend to incorrectly record lesions in healthy teeth (over-diagnosis). For both osteologists and odontologists, correct assessment was poorer for radiographs than for visual inspection. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Longitudinal quantitative evaluation of lesion size change in femoral head osteonecrosis using three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging and image registration

JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 6 2006
Masaki Takao
Abstract It remains controversial whether some lesions of femoral head osteonecrosis regress during the natural course of the disease. With image registration, accurately matched image sets of the same subject can be acquired at different times. We applied image registration to evaluate lesion size change and assessed accuracy and usefulness compared to volume measurements and a conventional method. We also investigated whether lesions regress with this technique and with volume measurements. Baseline and 1 year minimum follow-up scans were conducted on 25 patients (31 hips) without radiological evidence of collapse. A three-dimensional (3D) spoiled gradient recalled echo sequence was used in the coronal direction (slice thickness,=,2 mm; slice pitch,=,1 mm). Size change was evaluated on all contiguous pairs of matched images after image registration. As a conventional method, coronal images (slice thickness,=,5 mm) were reconstructed, and size change was evaluated on the five representative coronal slices. Evaluation with the conventional method identified eight lesions with apparent reduction; assessments using image registration and volume measurements identified three lesions, all within a year of initial steroid treatment and remaining at ARCO stage I at follow up. Evaluation of lesion size change using image registration was comparable to volume measurements. Inaccurate estimation of lesion size change due to mismatching of slice planes can be excluded. We demonstrated that some early lesions detected less than a year after initial steroid treatment can show size reduction with image registration as well as with volume measurements. © 2006 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 24:1231,1239, 2006 [source]


Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY & VENEREOLOGY, Issue 2 2003
EA Kotz
ABSTRACT Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is a neoplasm of helper T cells whose first manifestations usually appear in the skin. The various forms of CTCL are distinguished by both clinical features and histopathology. Early on, the diagnosis may be difficult to establish because of its numerous, and often non-specific, clinical presentations. Further, the pathological findings of early lesions may lack the diagnostic features observed in well-developed or advanced disease. The diagnosis of CTCL must be considered in any patient with a chronic, therapy-resistant condition of the skin. In patients with non-specific histological findings, a high index of suspicion and multiple biopsies may eventually lead to a diagnosis of CTCL. Once the diagnosis of CTCL is established, accurate staging is essential both for its effect on treatment decisions and for its prognostic value. In general, CTCL is a chronic, slowly progressive disease with a long evolution. The development of tumours is a poor prognostic sign, as is erythroderma. The Sezary syndrome is a distinct form of erythrodermic CTCL that is characterized by exfoliative erythroderma, lymphadenopathy, lymphocytosis, intense pruritus, and circulating large, abnormal lymphocytes (Sezary cells). When death does occur, it is most often due to septicemia. Treatment of CTCL must be tailored to the individual patient. The most commonly employed treatment options are photochemotherapy and topical chemotherapy. [source]


Chemopreventive Effect of Celecoxib in Oral Precancers and Cancers,

THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 10 2006
Lining Feng PhD
Abstract Objectives: Oral cancer has become an important health care problem in many countries. Because this disease develops slowly, early detection and intervention can greatly affect ultimate outcome. Celecoxib is a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor with significantly less toxicity. This study investigated the possibility of using it for chemoprevention of oral cancer at the early stages. Study Design: Randomized animal study. Methods: Dysplastic lesions were induced in the buccal pouches of 47 hamsters by a 5 week painting of 9,10-dimethl-1,2-benzanthrancene (DMBA). Basal diets or diets containing 500 or 1,500 ppm of Celecoxib were orally given for 7 weeks. The T50 (50% incidence; i.e., the time to appearance of tumors in 50% of the hamsters) was observed, and volume of tumors was measured on day 1, 9, 19, 28, 35, and 48 with the Celecoxib treatment. Results: The T50 was 9, 19, and 28 days with the treatment in the control group, in the 500 ppm group, and in the 1,500 ppm group, respectively. It indicated that the Celecoxib treatment could delay progression of early lesion. The tumor measurement showed that this treatment was also effective in delaying tumor growth in both treatment groups. There was a difference in the treatment efficacy between the 500 ppm and 1,500 ppm of Celecoxib, indicating a dose-dependent efficacy. Conclusions: Celecoxib is effective in delaying onset of early lesions induced by DMBA and in slowing growth of the tumors in hamster cheek pouches during the postinitiation stage. Its treatment efficacy appears to be dose dependent. [source]


The Caries Management System: an evidence-based preventive strategy for dental practitioners.

AUSTRALIAN DENTAL JOURNAL, Issue 4 2009
Application for children, adolescents
Abstract The application of the Caries Management System (CMS) for children and adolescents follows the rationale underlying the application of the CMS for adults. Briefly, the CMS is a 10-step, risk-based, non-invasive strategy to arrest and remineralize early lesions and to enhance caries primary prevention. The method for assessing each patient's diet, plaque distribution, and signs of caries as shown in bitewing radiograph images, follows the protocols for adults. Protocols presented here relating to caries risk assessment, lesion diagnosis and management, and patient recall are specific for children and adolescents. Fundamentally, non-cavitated lesions in primary and especially permanent teeth are managed: (1) professionally by preservative non-invasive means, including fluoride varnish and sealants; and (2) daily home toothbrushing using fluoride toothpaste where the aim is to arrest lesion progression so that restorations will not be necessary. Monitoring of lesions through the review of clinical signs and bitewing images is the means for assessing caries activity. For those who fail to respond to advice to reduce cariogenic exposures and continue to develop new lesions at a steady or increased rate, a more intensified programme is required; their higher risk status is confirmed and treatment follows the corresponding protocol. [source]


Association between plaque instability, angiogenesis and symptomatic carotid occlusive disease,

BRITISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY (NOW INCLUDES EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SURGERY), Issue 7 2001
R. Mofidi
Background: Angiogenesis is a recognized feature of the atherosclerotic process and has been described in the context of unstable coronary atherosclerotic lesions. The aim of this study was to assess the association between angiogenesis in atherosclerotic carotid plaques and microscopic features of plaque instability, in particular intraplaque haemorrhage. Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy were included. Endarterectomy specimens were divided into their constituent atherosclerotic lesions. Histological sections were prepared and stained with haematoxylin and eosin, and immunohistochemically with an endothelial cell marker (CD34). The quantity of intraplaque haemorrhage was measured in transverse histological sections using computerized image analysis. Microvessel counts were performed in CD34-stained sections and were verified through computerized image analysis. Results: Some 239 atherosclerotic lesions from 73 patients were available for analysis; 73 were early lesions, 74 were raised fibroatheromas and 92 were unstable atherosclerotic plaques. One hundred and fifty lesions were not haemorrhagic; 89 exhibited intraplaque haemorrhage, of which 28 involved less than 50 per cent of the plaque sectional area. There were higher microvessel counts in plaques containing over 50 per cent haemorrhage (P < 0·0001), unstable atherosclerotic lesions (P < 0·0001) and atherosclerotic lesions obtained from symptomatic patients (P < 0·001). Conclusion: There are strong associations between plaque vascularity, quantity of intraplaque haemorrhage and presence of symptomatic carotid occlusive disease. © 2001 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd [source]


First Synthesis of Heparan Sulfate Tetrasaccharides Containing both N -Acetylated and N -Unsubstituted Glucosamine,Search for Putative 10E4 Epitopes

CHEMBIOCHEM, Issue 12 2006
Daniel Hamza Dr.
A methodology allowing the differentiation of azido groups in protected oligosaccharides was optimized. It allowed the first synthesis of tetrasaccharides 1 and 2 containing both N-acetylated and N-unsubstituted glucosamine, as well as glucuronic and/or iduronic acid residues. These tetrasaccharides were then examined for their ability to interact with 10E4, an antibody recognizing early lesions in the brain of scrapie prion-infected mice. [source]


Efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin®) therapy for early and advanced neovascular age-related macular degeneration

ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 6 2009
Ilse Krebs
Abstract. Purpose:, To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab therapy for early and advanced neovascular age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). Methods:, A consecutive series of eyes with neovascular ARMD treated with monthly intravitreal injections of bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 ml) as long as there was evidence of activity on fluorescein angiography (FA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) was included and observed for 6 months. For further analysis they were assigned to either an early (untreated/newly diagnosed) or an advanced (predominantly fibrotic/pre-treated) ARMD group. We examined distance visual acuity (VA) with Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) charts and central retinal thickness with OCT, as well as lesion size and safety aspects. Results:, Forty-four patients (44 eyes) were enrolled (21 early lesions, 23 advanced lesions). Mean VA changed from 0.74 logMAR at baseline to 0.68 logMAR at month 6 (P = 0.01). Improvement in VA was statistically significant only in eyes with early lesions (n = 21) from month 1 (P = 0.015) up to month 6 (P = 0.03). The changes in central retinal thickness (CRT) (P < 0.001) and total lesion size (P < 0.001) were significant in both groups (early and advanced) at all time-points during follow-up. No significant ocular or systemic adverse effects were observed. Conclusion:, Intravitreal bevacizumab was tolerated well by our patients and we did not identify any apparent short-term safety concerns. We observed stabilization in VA overall, with significant improvement in the early lesion group. [source]


Early cellular events in colorectal carcinogenesis

COLORECTAL DISEASE, Issue 2 2002
A. G. Renehan
Colorectal cancer develops through a multistage process recognizable at a histopathological level by progression from normal mucosa to invasive carcinoma (the adenoma-carcinoma sequence). For many years, it has been hypothesized that increased cell proliferation in the colonic crypt represents the earliest recognizable stage in this sequence. This perspective is now changing. While several human studies have reported increased crypt cell proliferation in samples from at-risk patients, there are many inconsistencies and paradoxes in their conclusions. In addition, it is appreciated that the process of apoptosis (programmed cell death) is vital for normal crypt homeostasis and its impairment may be an early event in the neoplastic process. It is now believed that aberrant crypt foci (ACFs) represent the earliest step in colorectal carcinogenesis. Two ACF types are identifiable: hypercellular and dysplastic. Increased proliferative activity may be seen in both, but the dysplastic entity is most relevant to carcinogenesis. Animal and human studies support the notion that ACFs grow by crypt fission leading to the formation of microadenomas. Adenomas are monoclonal expansions of an altered cell, but very early lesions may be polyclonal. There are outward and inward theories of polypoid growth, and evidence to support both mechanisms. The ACF assay has become a useful tool to detect carcinogens in animal studies but has been less frequently used in human studies. For future cancer chemopreventive and risk assessment studies in humans, the identification and quantification of ACFs should be considered a more effective intermediate marker of risk than the determination of crypt cell proliferation alone. [source]