The CD44s Isoform is a Potential Biomarker for Predicting Craniopharyngioma Recurrence in Children.

Adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma (ACP) is an intracranial tumor considered partly malignant due to its ability to infiltrate surrounding structures and tendency to relapse despite radical resection. CD44 is a known stem cell marker in ACP and is upregulated in cell clusters of invasive ACP protrusions; however, the functions of its alternative splicing isoform variants, CD44s and CD44v1-10, have not yet been studied in terms of ACP recurrence, despite their confirmed roles in cancer development and progression. In this study, we first confirmed the difference in total CD44 expression between samples from patients who experienced relapse and those from patients who did not. Moreover, our findings showed that, in recurrent samples, the predominant isoform expressed was CD44s, which might indicate its significance in predicting ACP recurrence. The association between increased CD44 expression and recurrence may lead to the development of prognostic markers of ACP aggressiveness and relapse potential; however, further studies are needed to clarify the exact mechanism of CD44 expression.

Effect of Octenisept antiseptic on bioburden of neoplastic ulcers in patients with advanced cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of octenidine dihydrochloride (Octenisept, Schülke & Mayr) on the clinical condition and bacterial flora in neoplastic ulcers. METHOD: Twenty-one patients with advanced cancer and neoplastic ulcers were included in the study. Octenisept-moistened gauze dressings were applied to the ulcers three times daily. The clinical and bacteriological status of the wounds were assessed at baseline and after three weeks of treatment. RESULTS: Thirty-three bacterial strains were cultured at baseline. After three weeks of treatment, the tests were repeated on 16 patients. Clinical observations confirmed an improvement in the clinical condition of the ulcers, characterised by a reduction in necrosis, exudate levels, erythema and oedema. According to the bacteriological assessment, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Proteus mirabilis were eradicated from the wounds. Enterococcus faecalis persisted in two patients, Escherichia coli in one patient and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in another patient. CONCLUSION: Octenispet was an effective antimicrobial: Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus mirabilis were eradicated in all ulcers. After three weeks of treatment, none of the ulcers developed an infection and there was an improvement in their clinical condition.

Effect of bacteriological status on pressure ulcer healing in patients with advanced cancer.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify the quantitative and qualitative bacteriological status of pressure ulcers in patients with advanced cancer, and the effects on the healing process. METHOD: We recruited 34 patients with advanced cancer who had 38 superficial grade II and III pressure ulcers. Patients were randomly allocated to treatment with Lyofoam/polyurethane foam dressing (Seton) or Aquagel/hydrogel dressing (Wytw.Opatrunków). Efficacy, treatment times and healing rates were noted. Qualitative studies were undertaken on 38 pressure ulcers and quantitative bacteriological studies on 19 ulcers. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference between the two treatment groups in efficacy, healing rates and treatment times. Bacteriological assessment identified 92 species. CONCLUSION: The bacteria did not cause any clinical signs of infection. Variations in the number and types of bacteria in individual wounds did not correlate to the grade of ulcer or the dressing used.

Disseminated papular acantholytic dyskeratosis.

We present two cases of elderly women with clinically atypical transient disseminated papular eruption, showing suprabasal epidermal clefts with dyskeratosis and acantholysis. The clinical picture did not correspond to either Darier's disease, Hailey's disease or Grover's acantholysis. In spite of clinical similarity the cases differed in course and outcome. Overlapping dyskeratosis and acantholysis varied in different specimens. The case with transient acantholytic lesions of short duration showed much more pronounced dyskeratosis than the other in which several relapses occurred in a 4-year period. Such cases defying classification belong to the heterogeneous group of papular acantholytic dyskeratosis.

[A case of extensive basal cell epithelioma of the lumbosacral region treated by a combined method]. / Przypadek rozleglego nabloniaka okolicy ledzwiowo-krzyzowej leczonego metoda skojarzona.

In a female patient aged 68 years an extensive basal cell carcinoma with a proliferating tumour in its central part was observed. In view of the age of the patient, the extent and location of the lesion, and refusal to undergo surgical treatment combined treatment was used, with radiotherapy (5900 R, 70-45 KV, 10 mA) and compresses of 5-fluorouracil. The tumour became flat and epithelialization developed.