Superficial CD34 fibroblastic tumors and PRDM10-rearranged soft tissue neoplasm: An evolving diagnosis.

Superficial CD34 fibroblastic tumors (SCD34FT) and PRDM10-rearranged tumors (PRTs) are mesenchymal tumors that have recently received increased scientific attention due to their irrefutable similarities yet debatable relationship. A 74-year-old male presented to the dermatology clinic with a violaceous, well-defined nodule on the left medial knee of 2-year duration. Shave biopsy demonstrated spindle cells arranged in a vaguely storiform pattern forming fascicles. Immunohistochemical stains were positive for vimentin, CD68, CD10, and CD34 diffusely. ERG, S-100, HMB45, and SOX-10 were negative. Molecular studies identified a mediator complex subunit 12 (MED12)-PR/SET Domain 10 (PRDM10) gene fusion thus favoring confirming the diagnosis of a PRT. Our patient underwent wide local excision with negative margins and had no complications. This case aims to provide context for considering SCD34FT and PRT as intersecting entities and to discuss a diagnostic approach when encountering these tumors.

Comparison of echocardiographic pulmonary flow Doppler markers in patients with massive or submassive acute pulmonary embolism and control group: A cross-sectional study.

Background and Aims: Computed tomography angiography (CTA) is the gold standard for the diagnosis of massive (MPE) and submassive pulmonary embolism (SMPE). Ultrasound has not been accepted as a diagnostic tool. We aim to evaluate the pattern of pulmonary Doppler echocardiography in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE). Methods: From 2020 to 2022, 30 patients with acute MPE or SMPE confirmed by CTA and normal pulmonary pressures were selected. A control group was created with 30 individuals without PE. All patients had an echocardiography Doppler study of the pulmonary flow with a focus on early systolic notching (ESN), McConnell's (MC) sign, Right ventricular outflow tract velocity time integral (RVOT VTI), segmental thickness variability (STV), right ventricular end-diastolic diameter (RVEDD), tricuspid regurgitation (TR) gradient, pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), and acceleration (AT) or ejection time (ET). Results: ESN was identified in 96.6% of PE patients and 0% of the control group (p < 0.001). In comparison with the control group, STV (p < 0.001), RVOT VTI (p < 0.001), ET (p = 0.04), and AT (p < 0.001) values were lower in patients with PE while RVEDD, TR gradient, PAP, ESN, MC sign, and d-shape were higher (p < 0.001). Identification of the ESN pattern and AT/ET < 0.4 showed excellent predictive ability for MPE and SMPE with a sensitivity of 97.0% and 100%, specificity of 99.0% and 97%, and an area under the ROC curve of 0.967 (95% CI 0.914-1.00) and 0.933 (95% CI 0.844-1.00), respectively. Conclusion: Doppler echocardiography with particular attention to ESN, may be a suitable noninvasive method for the diagnosis of MPE and SMPE. Further studies with more sample sizes are needed to confirm its diagnostic benefit.

Silymarin in combination with ATRA enhances apoptosis induction in human acute promyelocytic NB4 cells.

Although all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is an efficient pattern in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) therapy, further studies are required due to the extant clinical limitations of ATRA. It has been reported that Silymarin, an anti-cancer herbal substance extracted from milk thistle (Silybum marianum), is able to regulate apoptosis in various types of cancer cells through different mechanisms of action. This study investigated the apoptosis-inducing effect of Silymarin (SM) alone and in combination with ATRA on human acute promyelocytic NB4 cells. Examination using MTT assay indicated that SM treatment leads to growth inhibition in NB4 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The IC50 values of SM and ATRA were calculated 90 µM and 2 µM, respectively. Cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry revealed that a more increase in the sub-G1 phase (a sign of apoptosis) when cells were exposed to SM in combination with ATRA. The incidence of apoptosis was confirmed through Hoechst 33258 staining and Annexin V-FITC analysis. The results showed that Silymarin enhances ATRA-induced apoptosis. The flow cytometric analysis also indicated an enhancement in levels of ROS in the treated cells with both compounds. The real-time PCR illustrated that SM targets apoptosis by down-regulation in Survivin and Bcl-2 while up-regulation in Bax. The findings showed that the combination of the two compounds is more effective in the induction of apoptosis in NB4 cells. Molecular docking studies indicated that Sylibin, as a primary compound of the SM, binds to the BH3 domain of Bcl-2 and the BIR domain of Survivin with various affinities. Based on the findings, it seems that SM used alone and in combination with ATRA may be beneficial for inducing apoptosis in APL cells.

"Pick" wisely: An approach to diagnosis and management of pathologic skin picking.

Manipulation of the skin is ubiquitous in most individuals along a spectrum of extent and severity. Skin picking that results in clinically evident changes or scarring to the skin, hair, and nails or significantly impairs intrapsychic, psychosocial, or occupational function is considered pathological picking. Several psychiatric conditions are associated with skin picking, including obsessive-compulsive disorder, body-focused repetitive behaviors, borderline personality disorder, and depressive disorder. It is also associated with pruritus and other dysesthetic disorders. Although pathologic skin picking, also known as excoriation disorder, is a distinct diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM5), this review attempts to further classify the diagnosis into the following 11 picker categories: organic/dysesthetic, obsessive-compulsive, functionally autonomous/habit, anxious/depressed, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, borderline, narcissistic, body dysmorphic, delusional, guilty, and angry picker. An organized conceptualization of skin picking can guide providers toward a constructive management approach, ultimately increasing the likelihood of successful therapeutic outcomes.