We assume that leptin might serve as a marker of severity in psoriasis and also may be a pathogenetic cofactor contributing to chronicity of the disease. Consequently, its role in obesity and cardiovascular disease in patients with psoriasis deserves to be studied. In addition, drugs targeting the proinflammatory effects of leptin may be a new adjuvant therapeutic approach in psoriasis.

A rare case of human herpes virus 8-unrelated primary effusion lymphoma-like lymphoma: a report and review of the literature. APMIS 2009; 117:222-29. Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is a very rare type of lymphoma usually confined to the body cavities predominantly in immunosuppressed patients infected with human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8). The new term for HHV-8 independent PEL is HHV8-unrelated PEL-like lymphoma. We describe an 89-year-old human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative male patient with HHV8-unrelated PEL-like lymphoma in the pleura. No hepatosplenomegaly or lymphadenopathy was detected. Chest radiography and computed tomography revealed right pleural effusion, but no evidence of tumor mass or lymph node enlargement. Cytological analysis of the pleural effusion revealed a high-grade lymphoma with round nuclei, prominent nucleoli and abundant cytoplasm with immunophenotypes positive for CD45, CD30, CD38, CD7 and CD71. Because of the advanced age, no chemotherapy was given. Effusion resolved spontaneously. One year after the diagnosis, a new pleural effusion developed at the left side. Following thoracentesis and pleurodesis, the patient remained in complete remission for 40 months. To date, 30 cases of HHV8-unrelated PEL-like lymphoma/HIV negative have been reported in the literature. The outcome of the HHV8-unrelated PEL-like lymphoma patients who were HIV negative seems to be better than HIV- and HHV-8-positive PEL.

Gamma-knife surgery may be an effective alternative for treatment of central neurocytomas owing to its relative safety compared with conventional radiotherapy. In this paper we present results of gamma-knife treatment (GKS) of residual or recurrent neurocytomas. Twenty-two patients (14 female, 8 male) with recurrent or residual neurocytomas who underwent GKS were included. Diagnosis was based on histological findings. The proliferative potential of the tumors was examined by immunostaining with MIB-1 antibody, which is specific for detection of Ki-67 antigen. Tumor volume was determined by using post-gadolinium magnetic resonance images. After GKS treatment, MR imaging was scheduled at three-month intervals in the first year, at six months intervals in the second year, and yearly thereafter. Histopathological diagnoses were: 18 cases of central neurocytomas, two liponeurocytomas, one cerebral neurocytoma and one cerebellar neurocytoma. The MIB1 labeling index (LI) varied from 0 to 5.7%. Marked reduction in tumor volume was seen in 15 patients. In six patients, the tumor volume remained unchanged, and progression was observed for one patient. No complications because of GKS were noted. Shrinking effect on tumor volume increased with increasing duration of follow-up. On the other hand, high MIB labeling index did not seem to have an effect on tumor response to GKS treatment. Findings of this study suggest that GKS is an effective and safe treatment alternative for residual or recurrent neurocytomas. However, its effectiveness should be confirmed with larger studies.

Although the relationship between the development of myringosclerosis and ROS had been well documented previously, the present study is the first that has directly measured the levels of ROS in the tympanic membrane and middle ear mucosa. These results are relevant because they correlate with histological findings. It has also been demonstrated that topically applied vitamin E is effective in decreasing the ROS levels.

According to the parameters we studied, adding parenteral omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to the nutrition regimen of rats treated with dexamethasone does not seem to have adverse effects on wound healing, and effects on wound healing may not need to be considered when determining if these agents should be supplemented in nutrition support regimens.