Predictive testing of the melanocortin 1 receptor for skin cancer and photoaging.

Genetic predisposition to melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer extends far beyond the Fitzpatrick phenotype classification scheme. Specific alleles of the gene that codes for the malnocortin 1 receptor are predictive of skin cancer risk independent of skin type and hair color. The ability to identify high risk patients independent of the red hair phenotype may help to modify routine sun and skin monitoring behaviors. In addition, as this increased skin cancer risk is likely due to impaired UVA and UVB defence mechanisms, consideration of genetic predisposition may also be appropriate for patients undergoing psoralen + UVA (PUVA) or UVB treatments for various cutaneous disorders, such as psoriasis, eczema, and vitiligo. Testing aimed at improving prognostication may serve to limit the influence of certain risk factors.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Chalcones having Heterosubstituent(s).

Chalcones and their synthetic analogues appear to have the same binding site of tubuline as phenstatin, combretastatin steganacin and podophylotoxin and are therefore capable to inhibit cancer cell proliferation. The phenyl rings with appropriate substitutions maintain a fixed distance between two centers of aryl rings. The two aromatic rings in these molecules are arranged like the two wings of a butterfly having certain dihedral angle between them, therefore a "butterfly model" is proposed an important structural feature responsible for their antitubulin activity. In this sequence a series of chalcones were synthesized and evaluated for in vitro cytotoxic activity against a panel of human cancer cell lines. In addition the synthetics reduced MIC of ciprofloxacin upto four fold this indicates their bioavailability enhancing potential.

Immunophenotypic and intracellular cytokine profile of Indian patients with tuberculosis with and without human immunodeficiency virus co-infection.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) occurs in more than 50% of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected Indian patients. This study was carried out to determine the immunophenotypic and intracellular cytokine profile of patients with HIV-TB co-infection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients with HIV-TB co-infection and 15 each with TB alone and healthy individuals were studied. Immunophenotypic analysis and intracellular cytokines were measured using appropriate antibodies on a flowcytometer. RESULTS: Percentage of CD3+ did not differ significantly in the three groups. The ratio of CD4+ : CD8+ was reversed among patients with TB and HIV-TB. CD19+ and CD25+ were present on fewer cells of healthy individuals but this was not statistically significant. Significantly higher percentage of cells of patients with TB and HIV-TB were CD69 positive. Interferon-gamma (INF-gamma) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels are significantly reduced in the CD4+ cells of patients with HIV-TB when compared with those with TB and healthy individuals. In CD8+ cells of patients with HIV-TB, levels of TNF-alpha are higher when compared with the other two groups. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) producing cells were not significantly different in any of the above subsets. Monocytes in individuals with HIV-TB had significantly higher interleukin-6 (IL-6) and TNF-alpha. CONCLUSIONS: T-helper cells among patients with HIV-TB have significantly lower cytokine production. T-suppressor cells and monocytes produce more TNF-alpha. These findings may be significant in view of recent attempts to treat HIV-TB coinfected patients with anti-TNF therapy.

Blue emission from cysteine ester passivated cadmium sulfide nanoclusters.

A one-pot synthesis is reported of water-soluble cadmium sulfide nanoclusters capped with cysteine ester, with an average size of 2.0 nm and fluorescing in the blue region, establishing the possibility of using these as fluorescent biological probes.

Extensive nodular secondary syphilis.

An indigent male patient presented with a widespread nodular eruption involving the torso and limbs. The differential diagnosis included nodular secondary syphilis, Kaposi's sarcoma, sarcoidosis, and lymphoma. Investigation confirmed secondary syphilis with positive cerebrospinal fluid serologic findings. Penicillin therapy produced a Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction despite pretreatment to diminish this. Discussion on the clinical features and treatment of syphilis is presented.

Giant cell tumor of tendon sheath.

The giant cell tumor of tendon sheath (localized nodular tenosynovitis) is the second most common tumor involving the hand but is only rarely reported in the dermatologic literature. A case of giant cell tumor and a review of the clinical and pathologic records of 111 patients are discussed.