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Biomedical subjects

M Fimiani

Publications and source records attributed to M Fimiani.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Juvenile pemphigus vulgaris: efficacy of moderate doses of deflazacort.

A 13-year-old girl with pemphigus vulgaris (PV) had clinical features of chronic stomatitis. The histologic and immunologic findings were typical of a diagnosis of PV. Good therapeutic results were obtained with moderate doses of deflazacort, 1 mg/kg/day slowly tapered to 0.1 mg/kg every other day. The patient had no significant side effects.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Role of specific membrane receptors in urokinase-dependent migration of human keratinocytes.

On the basis of both 125I-labeled plasminogen activator binding analysis and transmission electron microscopy studies of the interaction of a plasminogen activator/gold complex with cell membranes, we have found that human keratinocytes have specific receptors for human urokinase-type plasminogen activator distributed on the cell surface as singlets, or as small or large clusters. The use in binding experiments of the purified A chain of urokinase-plasminogen activator and of anti-A chain monoclonal antibodies has indicated that cell receptors are specific for a sequence present on the A chain, as previously reported for other cells. The interaction of both the native molecule and the purified A chain with such receptors stimulates mobilization of keratinocytes in an in vitro cell model system (Boyden chamber), when present in the lower compartment of the migration apparatus in nanomolar concentrations. Preincubation of chemoattractants with a monoclonal antibody which prevents receptor/ligand interaction also prevents plasminogen activator-induced cell migration. These data suggest that, under the conditions used in this in vitro model system, the plasminogen activator-dependent mobilization of keratinocytes depends on the interaction of the ligand with free receptors on the cell surface, and is independent of plasmin generation.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1990

Measurement of cutaneous colour and assessment of skin type.

Skin colour was evaluated in summer in 91 Caucasian volunteers by means of a Minolta Chroma Meter CR-200, a colour analyser for measuring the reflective colour of surfaces by the tristimulus system. All the subjects were classified for skin type according to Fitzpatrick and minimal erythema dose determined. The skin colour of the buttock was taken to be the constitutive skin colour, and that of the cheek the facultative skin colour. It was found that the chromaticity of exposed skin was noticeably different from that of unexposed skin, being situated to the right of the latter in the chromaticity diagram. This means that skin that is usually exposed to the sun has a more intense red component, presumably because of increased vascularization. Exposed skin also showed lower reflectance (Y) or lightness (L*) than unexposed skin, probably because of pigmentation. Hence delta Y and delta L* give an approximate idea of the tanning capacity of each subject. delta Y and delta L* of skin types II and III were greater than delta Y and delta L* of skin type IV. This means that, with chronic exposure to sunlight, even fair skin can achieve a reasonable pigmentation. It is concluded that constitutive skin colour is a more meaningful parameter than facultative skin colour in assessing skin type.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Ultrastructural study of pseudo-Kaposi's sarcoma (Bluefarb-Stewart type).

An ultrastructural study of the skin lesion of a young patient affected by pseudo-Kaposi's sarcoma of the Bluefarb-Stewart type (BSS) is reported. The neoplasm consisted of a proliferation of vascular structures mostly consisting of a solid bud of endothelial cells surrounded by a thinned and polystratified basement membrane and several pericytes. Both endothelial cells and pericytes were of normal ultrastructural appearance. Intervascular "stromal" cells were few and morphologically identified as macrophages and/or phagocytic fibroblasts. Masses of hemosiderin were detected outside the cells and in the macrophages, endothelial cells, and pericytes. Intracytoplasmatic crystalloid inclusions similar to those found in fetal endothelium and hemangiomas were observed in a few endothelial cells. These findings are different from those of previously reported cases of pseudo-Kaposi's sarcoma and may be helpful in distinguishing Kaposi's sarcoma from BSS. The role of immunodeficiency in the onset of BSS is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Bullous congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma in a mother and son].

The occurrence of two cases of bullous congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma (BCIE) in a mother and son is reported. Clinical diagnosis was confirmed by histological and ultrastructural findings, which demonstrated marked changes in the cyto-skeleton of the keratinocytes of the Malpighian layer and areas of cytolysis and hypoplasia of the tonofilament-hemidesmosome complexes in the cells of the granulosa layer. These results and the possible aetiopathogenic mechanisms are discussed in the light of the most recent data in the literature. Treatment with oral etretinate proved to be helpful, but not long lasting.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Solitary cutaneous reticulum cell tumor. Enzyme-immunohistochemical and electron-microscopic analogies with IDRC sarcoma.

We herein report a case of solitary cutaneous reticulum cell tumor not associated with any other organ involvement. The enzyme-immunohistochemical and electron-microscopic features of the cellular infiltrate are the same as those of interdigitating reticulum cells (IDRC), which can give rise to neoplasms in lymphoid organs; they are also similar to those of Langerhans cells and "indeterminate" cells, which are usually thought to give rise only to systemic disorders. The authors support the hypothesis that such neoplasms may represent the cutaneous counterpart of IDRC neoplasms of lymphoid organs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Stereological study of desmosomes in basal cell carcinoma and seborrheic keratosis.

Desmosomes exhibit quantitative alterations in neoplastic diseases. We used direct and stereological measurements to quantify these structures in basal cell carcinomas and in seborrheic keratoses, in comparison with the basal stratum of normal epidermis. Tissue fragments were processed for electron microscopy. Random sampling procedure was used to obtain micrographs of cells from each of the three groups. The following parameters were calculated: volume of the 'average' cell (Vcell), relative surface area of plasma membrane occupied by desmosomes (Ss), mean desmosome diameter (delta) and mean desmosome surface area (s), number of desmosomes per unit surface area (Ns), mean surface area of plasma membrane (Spm), total surface area (Sdes) and number of desmosomes on the 'average' cell (Ndes). Cell volume to surface ratio (V/S) and volume density of intercellular space (Vvint) were also determined. The parameters Ns, Sdes, and Ndes decreased both in basal cell carcinomas and in seborrheic keratoses. The lowest values were obtained in basal cell carcinomas. Instead, the parameters delta, Ss and Vvint increased in both lesions.

Basal Cell Carcinoma↗
PubMed1987

Phenotypic characters related to skin type and minimal erythemal dose.

Minimal erythemal dose (MED) was determined in 155 healthy Caucasoid subjects. Hair color, eye color, number of freckles, and history of sun reactivity and tanning ability, according to the system proposed by Fitzpatrick, were also recorded. In the subjects with skin type I, the values of MED were relatively homogeneous, whereas in subjects with skin types II, III and IV there was a wide variation of MED values. In spite of this variation, a good correlation was found between MED and skin types. MED was found to correlate with hair color, eye color and number of freckles only for some variants of these characters. Low values of MED correlated significantly with red hair, blue eyes and highly freckled skin. Between other variants of the same characters, MED values did not differ significantly. This means that phenotypic characters suggest low MED values only in individuals with red hair, blue eyes and many freckles. In these subjects the phenotypic characters studied may be considered indicative of cancer risk. For all other Caucasoid people the phenotypic characters studied are not predictive of MED nor, probably, of cancer risk.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Ultrastructural observations in lichen nitidus.

Lichen nitidus (LN) and lichen planus (LP) are considered by some investigators to be two variants of the same disease, and by others to be two distinct dermatoses. In order to obtain further information about the relationship between LN and LP we examined the ultrastructure of lesions from two LN patients. In the central part of the lesion, the basement membrane was absent, or was interrupted by migrating phagocytes or lymphocytes. The basal cells and the lower cells of the stratum spinosum exhibited karyolysis and appeared to be compressed and often necrotic. In the upper dermis irregular cell debris full of clumps of tonofilaments and colloid-body-like structures was observed. A dense dermal infiltrate of macrophages, lymphocytes, fibrocytes, and Sezary-like cells was present. Signs of cooperation between lymphocytes and macrophages were also evident. The periphery of the lesion showed no pathological features except for enlargement of the intercellular spaces and the presence of mononuclear cells scattered through the epidermis. Several normal Langerhans cells were noticed. These ultrastructural findings were quite similar to those reported for LP.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Altered CSF protein pattern in a case of mycosis fungoides with nervous system involvement.

We report the clinical, neurophysiological and CSF study in a case of mycosis fungoides with nervous system involvement. The CSF contained an abnormal protein of molecular weight 22000 that was not in the patient's serum or in the CSF of control subjects and that disappeared after intrathecal immunosuppressive therapy. The nature of this protein is discussed in the light of hypothesis regarding the pathogenesis of the disease.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins↗
PubMed1984

[Therapy with bromocriptine and behavior of various hormones in psoriasis patients].

The activity of bromocriptin has been clinically tested on 18 patients suffering from psoriasis. The plasma levels of Human Growth Hormone (HGH), Human Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH), Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Prolactin (PL), Aldosterone and Cortisol were investigated in these 18 patients along with 35 untreated psoriatic patients and 19 normal subjects. Bromocriptin was shown to be effective in 13 of our 18 psoriatic patients. Plasma levels of HGH, ACTH, and Aldosterone, measured in all 53 psoriatic patients, were found to be higher than normal in 11, 26 and 40 patients respectively (HGH and Aldosterone: p less than 0,005; ACTH: p less than 0,001).

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1984

[Cosmetic acne and a test of comedogenicity].

A comedogenic test was carried out on the internal ear canal of four adult, masculine, albino rabbits, using butter of cacao and linseed oil, both known to be present in various cosmetic products. Histologic observation after 14 days showed follicular hyperkeratosis conferming the validity of this test.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed1984

[Differences in the culture of pigment cells from various sources].

In order to look for a new culture system suitable for investigating on melanocyte biology, in-vitro experiments have been carried out on pigmented basal cell carcinoma, pigmented seborrhoeic keratosis and melanocytic nevus. Melanocytes cultured from pigmented basal cell carcinoma and pigmented seborrheic keratosis are dendritic and DOPA positive. These cells can be considered similar to those of normal skin. Pigmented cells cultured from nevi are quite different. They are spindle-shaped and only to a little extent are DOPA positive. These findings suggest that nevus cells could be non mature melanocytes stopped at an intermediate stage of differentiation.

Basal Cell Carcinoma↗