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Biomedical subjects

L C Fuller

Publications and source records attributed to L C Fuller.

27 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Serum S-100 protein: a potentially useful prognostic marker in cutaneous melanoma.

S-100, an acidic calcium-binding protein, is present within cells of neuroendocrine origin. Its value in the immunohistochemical diagnosis of tumours of melanocytic origin is well established. More recently, a potential role has been proposed for the serum concentration of this protein as a marker of metastatic melanoma disease activity. In the present study, the concentration of serum S-100 protein was measured in 97 patients with histologically proven malignant melanoma who were attending a dermatology and/or oncology department for the follow-up of their disease. Serum S-100 was also measured in 48 control subjects without malignant melanoma. The clinical stage of the patients was classified according to the criteria of the American Joint Committee on Cancer into stages I-IV. The median (range) serum S-100 protein concentration was significantly higher in stage I (0.11 (0.1-0.21) microgram/L, P < 0.001), stage II (0.11 (0.05-0.22) microgram/L, P < 0.001), stage III (0.24 (0.07-0.41) microgram/L, P < 0.0001) and stage IV (0.39 (0.06-15.0) microgram/L, P < 0.0001) compared with the control group (0.1 (0.05-0.15) microgram/L). At a threshold value of 0.2 microgram/L, the sensitivity and specificity for detection of advanced disease were 82% and 91%, respectively. Thus serum S-100 protein may be a valuable prognostic marker for malignant melanoma and for monitoring therapy. Serum S-100 protein concentration was also compared with the Breslow thickness of the tumours. There was a significant correlation between these variables (n = 72, rs = 0.32, P < 0.01). Combining a serum S-100 threshold value of > 0.22 microgram/L and a Breslow thickness of > 4 mm improved the sensitivity and specificity for the presence of secondary spread to 91% and 95%, respectively. Therefore, a combination of both baseline serum S-100 protein and Breslow thickness may provide a better indication of the prognosis at diagnosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Expression of E-cadherin in human epidermal non-melanoma cutaneous tumours.

E-cadherin is a calcium-sensitive, cell-to-cell, adhesion molecule that is expressed widely in normal human epithelial tissue. Abnormal expression has been described in colorectal, breast and nasopharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas, where loss of E-cadherin is associated with an increased metastatic potential. We have examined, by standard immunohistochemical techniques using the monoclonal antibody HECD-1 (E-cadherin monoclonal antibody), the distribution of E-cadherin in normal human skin and in non-melanoma neoplastic lesions. In the normal epidermis, E-cadherin was strongly expressed on the surface of keratinocytes and specialized epithelial structures. Staining was absent from the lower pole of basal keratinocytes in contact with the basement membrane. Weak cytoplasmic staining was also noted in basal keratinocytes. No reactivity was demonstrated in dermal structures. The assessment of cutaneous tumours demonstrated an altered pattern of staining in most cases. Cell surface expression was reduced in 28 of 30 cases of basal cell carcinomas (BCC). Twenty showed an additional feature of positive staining on the dermal aspect of peripheral cells of tumour lobules. In squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) (n = 16), surface expression was attenuated in eight and absent in a further four. Strong surface expression, similar to normal skin was seen in all examples of Bowen's disease (n = 6), viral wart (n = 3), seborrhoeic keratosis (n = 3) and actinic keratosis (n = 4). This study demonstrates that, in BCC and SCC, but not in premalignant lesions, cell-surface expression of E-cadherin is reduced, consistent with the observation that the loss of E-cadherin is associated with tumour invasion.

Cadherins↗
PubMed1989

Prevalence of von Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis in Dunedin, New Zealand.

A point prevalence study of von Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis (NF-1) was undertaken in greater Dunedin, New Zealand, having a base population of 113,700. A total of 52 individuals with NF-1 were identified, for a crude prevalence estimate of 45.7 per 100,000 (95% confidence interval 31.6-59.8 per 100,000) or 1 in 2,190 and an age-standardized prevalence of 48.5 per 100,000 (95% confidence interval 34.7-62.4 per 100,000) or 1 in 2,062. This is the highest prevalence estimate reported to date. This is presumed most likely to be due to a small population effect. The prevalence of NF correlated with age, being greatest among those aged 20-29 years and relatively low among those 60 or more years of age.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The prevalence of skin disease among school children in rural Ethiopia--a preliminary assessment of dermatologic needs.

It is always assumed that the prevalence of skin diseases in developing countries is very high, and that infestations and skin infections are highly endemic in poor rural communities; however, very few epidemiologic reports verify these assumptions. As part of a continuing study of dermatologic needs in southwestern Ethiopia, and to estimate the prevalence of treatable skin disease in children, a school survey was undertaken in Shebe. In October 1992, 112 children were examined by a team of dermatologists and their conditions were recorded. Twenty-two children (19.6%) were considered healthy and 90 (80.4%) had one or more skin diseases. A total of 140 conditions were identified and considered treatable in 98% of children. Infestations were the most prevalent skin pathology, 81.2%, followed by fungal infections, 13.4%.

Adolescent↗