Dark Nodules Research Articles

ORAL VARIX TREATED WITH SCLEROSING AGENT GUIDED BY ULTRASOUND: A CASE REPORT

Varix is a type of of acquired vascular anomaly represented by focal dilatation of a single vein and is mostly seen in elderly patients. One of the most common oral location is the tongue, buccal mucosa and commissure area region. In recent years, ultrasound-guided sclerosis has been proposed as an alternative treatment for low-flow malformations, especially when surgery cannot achieve a complete resection or seems too damaging. This study aimed to present a case report of vascular malformation, treated with a sclerosing agent guided by ultrasound. This case presents a 78-year-old male patient, complaining of a smooth surface, well-defined, soft, dark nodule measuring 10 × 05 × 03 mm, located on the upper lip, with an evolution of 20 years. The clinical diagnosis was oral varix, which was treated with sclerotherapy (5% ethanolamine oleate) through ultrasound-guided puncture. Varix is a type of of acquired vascular anomaly represented by focal dilatation of a single vein and is mostly seen in elderly patients. One of the most common oral location is the tongue, buccal mucosa and commissure area region. In recent years, ultrasound-guided sclerosis has been proposed as an alternative treatment for low-flow malformations, especially when surgery cannot achieve a complete resection or seems too damaging. This study aimed to present a case report of vascular malformation, treated with a sclerosing agent guided by ultrasound. This case presents a 78-year-old male patient, complaining of a smooth surface, well-defined, soft, dark nodule measuring 10 × 05 × 03 mm, located on the upper lip, with an evolution of 20 years. The clinical diagnosis was oral varix, which was treated with sclerotherapy (5% ethanolamine oleate) through ultrasound-guided puncture.

High resolution DLP stereolithography to fabricate biocompatible hydroxyapatite structures that support osteogenesis.

Lithography based additive manufacturing techniques, specifically digital light processing (DLP), are considered innovative manufacturing techniques for orthopaedic implants because of their potential for construction of complex geometries using polymers, metals, and ceramics. Hydroxyapatite (HA) coupons, printed using DLP, were evaluated for biological performance in supporting viability, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of the human cell line U2OS and human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) up to 35 days in culture to determine feasibility for future use in development of complex scaffold geometries. Contact angle, profilometry, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurements showed the HA coupons to be hydrophilic, porous, and having micro size surface roughness, all within favourable cell culture ranges. The study found no impact of leachable and extractables form the DLP printing process. Cells seeded on coupons exhibited morphologies comparable to conventional tissue culture polystyrene plates. Cell proliferation rates, as determined by direct cell count and the RealTime-GloTM MT Cell Viability Assay, were similar on HA coupons and standard tissue culture polystyrene plates). Osteogenic differentiation of human MSCs on HA coupons was confirmed using alkaline phosphatase, Alizarin Red S and von Kossa staining. The morphology of MSCs cultured in osteogenic medium for 14 to 35 days was similar on HA coupons and tissue culture polystyrene plates, with osteogenic (geometric, cuboidal morphology with dark nodules) and adipogenic (lipid vesicles and deposits) features. We conclude that the DLP process and LithaBone HA400 slurry are biocompatible and are suitable for osteogenic applications. Coupons served as an effective evaluation design in the characterization and visualization of cell responses on DLP printed HA material. Results support the feasibility of future technical development for 3D printing of sophisticated scaffold designs, which can be constructed to meet the mechanical, chemical, and porosity requirements of an artificial bone scaffold.

Kaposi Sarcoma of the Lower Extremity with HIV and Kaposi's Sarcoma

Kaposi's sarcoma is the most common malignancy seen with HIV infection. It is a lymphoangioproliferous tumor first described by Moritz Kaposi in 1872. It is characterized by bluish red or dark brown plaques and nodules, especially in the distal of the lower extremities, often the heels and feet. Organ involvement without skin findings is observed in approximately 15% of the cases. There are four clinical variants, the classical, endemic, iatrogenic and the epidemic associated with AIDS. Kaposi's sarcoma in AIDS cases apart from the skin, it can also be seen in the oral cavity, gastro-intestinal system and respiratory system. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) should be started immediately in newly diagnosed HIV infected patients. In this research, a 65 year old male patient, who was diagnosed AIDS and Kaposi's sarcoma at the same time, is described.

Madurella mycetomatis infection of the buttock in an Eritrean refugee in Switzerland: a case report

BackgroundMycetoma is a neglected infectious disease caused by a fungus (eumycetoma) or bacteria (actinomycetoma); it is characterized by chronic local inflammation with sinus formation and purulent discharge. Its course can be quite devastating because of the difficulty in diagnosing the infection and in eliminating the causative agent. Although endemic in many countries in the tropics and subtropics, the migration of Africans to Europe may increase the presence of this neglected disease in European countries. We present a case of an Eritrean patient living in a non-endemic country who was diagnosed as having an infection of Madurella mycetomatis in an atypical location in his body.Case presentationWe report the case of a 35-year-old African male refugee from Eritrea, living in Switzerland since 2015, who presented with a 1-year history of a painful soft tissue swelling associated with dark nodules in his right buttock. He mentioned having several previous surgeries after 2001 while he was in Eritrea due to recurrent abscess formation on this body area. In the previous months, the swelling had become more significant and nodules started draining a purulent fluid. An initial diagnostic hypothesis of buttock abscess was made and he was referred to a dermatologist for diagnostic confirmation and further specialist care due to the size and atypical presentation. After a punch biopsy, the diagnosis of eumycetoma was confirmed and cultures developed Madurella mycetomatis. The initial treatment approach consisted of oral treatment by itraconazole; however, a surgical resection of the lesions was finally needed.ConclusionsAlthough rare, mycetoma should be diagnosed as early as possible to avoid long-lasting complications. Primary care physicians in European countries are frequently in the first line of care of migrant patients and therefore should be aware of the common and uncommon clinical presentations of mycetoma.

Primary umbilical endometriosis with cyclic bleeding

Umbilical endometriosis is a rare clinical entity with unclear pathogenesis. A 36-year-old woman who presented with painless umbilical bleeding during the menstrual period for 9 months, history of dysmenorrhea for 10 years ago without medial used for relieving pain. A painless, 2-cm superficial hyperpigmented dark nodule with an orifice located in an umbilicus had been revealed during physical examination. The ultrasonography showed a 2.6-cm right hypoechogenic ovarian cyst and a 2.37-cm umbilical mass. The operation was umbilical lesion excision, laparoscopic enucleation of right endometrioma and surgical excision of endometriosis at the uterosacral ligament which revealed endometriosis on microscopic examination. The umbilicus had performed for neo-umbilicus suturing. Postoperative was uneventful. The concomitant endometriosis of the umbilicus, right endometrioma and the uterosacral ligament is rarely reported in the literature.

Modulation of naphthodianthrone biosynthesis in hairy root-derived Hypericum tomentosum regenerants

The results of the current study represent the first report on an efficient regeneration protocol for Hypericum tomentosum L. hairy root cultures. Six out of ten hairy root clones of H. tomentosum obtained by Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated transformation differentiated shoots on Murashige and Skoog medium containing a urea-based cytokinin thidiazuron in combination with the auxin inhibitor p-chlorophenoxyisobutyric acid. The whole plant regeneration of this species in vitro was achieved by further cultivation of shoots on medium containing benzyladenine. All transformed plants were successfully acclimated to ex vitro conditions. Most of the adapted clones exhibited typical hairy root phenotype with stunted growth, small wrinkly leaves and shortened internodes. Increased number of dark nodules, the sites of hypericins accumulation, was observed in the leaves of all transgenic clones. The capability of naphthodianthrone production was also modulated leading to a significant 28- and 5-fold increase of total hypericin content in two transgenic clones. The qPCR analysis revealed seven rolC integrations in two transgenic clones and one integration in four clones. The clones with multiple rolC copies synthesized the highest and the lowest amount of naphthodianthrones, respectively. The chromosome number in all analysed samples was determined as 2n = 18 suggesting a revision of the cytogenetic characterization of H. tomentosum.

Relation between hypericin content and morphometric leaf parameters in Hypericum spp.: A case of cubic degree polynomial function

Higher plants often accumulate secondary metabolites in multicellular structures or in secretory reservoirs. Biotechnological production of such compounds by cell cultures lacking proper morphological structures is difficult, therefore possibilities for an efficient increase of their formation by organ cultures are being searched. The genus Hypericum comprises many species that store photoactive and phototoxic naphthodianthrones in the dark nodules on their above-ground parts. To date, the relation between the content of hypericins and their proto-forms accumulated in the nodules, and morphological characters of the plant parts containing these structures has not been sufficiently explained. The content of hypericins and leaf morphology characters were measured in 12 selected diploid seed-derived Hypericum species cultured in vitro. The leaf volume and the volume of the nodules per leaf were calculated. Based on these data, a cubic degree polynomial regression model with high reliability was constructed. The model enables an estimate of the biosynthetic capacity of the cultures, and may be useful in designing the experiments aimed at elicitation of these unique secondary metabolites in shoot cultures of Hypericum spp. An analogous model may be developed for interpretation of experimental results for other plant species which accumulate metabolites in specialized morphological structures.

An Atypical Cause of Biliary Obstruction

The aim of this case of atypical metastatic melanoma is to highlight the need for endoscopic evaluation in any biliary obstructed patient with a diagnosis of cutaneous melanoma. A 69 year old CM with a history of HTN, CAD, and skin SCC presented with abdominal pain and N/V for two weeks. He was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis. CT scan showed an enlarged pancreatic head, enlarged hilar lymph nodes, and many subcutaneous nodules. A nodule biopsy was positive for S-100 and Melan-A indicating melanoma. He was discharged but later returned in two months with worsened abdominal pain and jaundice. His bilirubin was 20. A repeat CT showed a CBD of 14 mm. An ERCP performed showed a 3 cm ulcerated dark mass in the duodenum distal to the ampulla, a distal CBD stricture, and a one cm dark nodule in the 2nd part of the duodenum. A sphincterotomy was performed with placement of a biliary stent. Duodenal mass biopsies demonstrated metastatic melanoma. Symptom relief was achieved after the procedure but given the progression of his malignancy, the patient deceased one week later. Malignant melanoma is one of the most common cancers to metastasize to the GI tract. Post-mortem studies have identified GI metastases in 60% of disseminated melanoma patients. An autopsy study of malignant melanoma patients showed the most common sites of metastases in the GI tract were liver, small bowel, colon, stomach, and then duodenum. The extremities are the most common source for GI tract melanoma metastases. Detection of GI metastases usually varies between 21-54 months after the primary melanoma diagnosis. These metastases can be found with PET scans, CT scans, barium studies, EGD, ERCP, or colonoscopy. Stains S-100 and HMB-45 on endoscopic biopsies can help confirm the diagnosis. The prognosis of metastatic melanoma to the GI tract is poor with a median survival of 12 months and a 14% five year survival rate. Treatment options for GI melanoma metastases include surgical resection, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy. Presented here is a case of melanoma metastatic to the GI tract that is atypical in its presentation of jaundice, biliary ductal dilation, and pancreatitis due to its duodenal location. The duration of two months between the patient's initial melanoma diagnosis and detection of duodenal melanoma metastases was also unique. This case illustrates the need to endoscopically evaluate any melanoma patient who presents with abdominal symptoms or signs of biliary obstruction.Figure. 3: cm ulcerated periampullary mass.

Ni-Fe-Cu-PGE ore deposition driven by metasomatic fluids and melt-rock reactions in the deep crust: The ultramafic pipe of Valmaggia, Ivrea-Verbano, Italy

The Valmaggia ultramafic pipe belongs to a group of Fe-Ni-Cu-PGE-rich, hydrous ultramafic intrusions emplaced within the Ivrea-Verbano Zone (Italy). According to the most recent geodynamic models these early Triassic ultramafic pipes represent a network of magma conduits derived from partial melting of continental lithospheric mantle metasomatized by fluids and melts related to the Eo-Varisican subduction. New extensive mapping and sampling of the Valmaggia pipe provides evidence of the close relationship between metasomatism and Fe-Ni-Cu-PGE mineralization. New geological data allow a 3D geometrical model of the pipe that intrudes the Main Gabbro domain. The pipe has a sub-vertical, tube-like main body with at least three lateral branches. Along its rims the pipe displays magmatic, soft contacts with an almost continuous meter-sized envelope of a peculiar marginal rock facies (“plagioclasite”) consisting of Na-bearing plagioclase, biotite and apatite and, locally, with pegmatoidal texture. The peridotite pipe consists of a primary anhydrous mineral assemblage comprising coarse-grained olivine, diopside, enstatite and Cr-rich spinel. These minerals are extensively overprinted by a metasomatic assemblage comprising Ti-rich pargasitic amphibole and phlogopite oikocrysts, enstatite, Al-rich spinel and PGE-bearing Fe-Ni-Cu sulfides, with accessory carbonates, Cl-F-rich apatite, zircon and monazite. Sulfide mineralization is preferentially located along pipe margins, and, subordinately, in the nearby plagioclasite contact rock. Sulfides are strictly associated with the metasomatic assemblage and occur as disseminated mm-sized droplets, network-like aggregates and cm-sized amoeboidal nodules rimmed by carbonates. Several features suggest that plagioclasite interacted with the ultramafic pipe, and infiltrated it, as a magma. Plagioclasite in contact with the pipe rock frequently displays a mottled texture, similar to that of gabbro, and where dark nodules, with ultramafic cores and pargasite- spinel-phlogopite-bearing symplectite coronas, are densely disseminated in white plagioclasite-rich groundmass. Metasomatic assemblages and symplectite textures, suggesting disequilibrium between pipe minerals and plagioclasite components, are widely developed also along the pipe margins and interstitial plagioclase pockets within the pipe. The metasomatic minerals provide calculated PT conditions ranging between 680° and 870°C and between 4 and 8kbar. Such conditions are compatible with the latest geodynamic model for the Ivrea Zone pipes proposing their emplacement in the lower crust. These PT constraints also likely apply to the conditions of ore deposition because of the strict relationships between the metasomatic assemblage and the sulfides. Carbonate crystals that are associated with sulfide-rich portions of the pipe are likely the product of CO2 vapor sticking to the sulfide melt surface resulting in their net buoyancy and ascent in the melt. The textural and chemical characteristics of the pipe mineral assemblage and sulfide mineralization suggest a polyphasic evolution dominated by metasomatism during interaction between magmas. At Valmaggia the alkali- and volatile-rich, metasomatizing magma may be analogous to slab-derived melts envisaged in the most recent geodynamic model for IVZ. Percolation of a metasomatic melt favours Valmaggia pipe-like geometries, including a tubular main body with lateral appendages.

Elicitation as a tool to improve the profiles of high-value secondary metabolites and pharmacological properties of Hypericum perforatum.

ObjectivesIn this review, we aim at updating the available information on the improvement of the Hypericum perforatum L. (Hypericaceae) phytochemical profile and pharmacological properties via elicitation.Key findings Hypericum perforatum seedlings, shoots, roots, calli and cell suspension cultures were treated with diverse elicitors to induce the formation of secondary metabolites. The extracts of the elicitor‐treated plant material containing naphthodianthrones, phloroglucinols, xanthones, flavonoids and other new compounds were quantitatively analysed and tested for their bioactivities. While hypericins were mainly produced in H. perforatum cultures containing dark nodules, namely shoots and seedlings, other classes of compounds such as xanthones, phloroglucinols and flavonoids were formed in all types of cultures. The extracts obtained from elicitor‐treated samples generally possessed better bioactivities compared to the extract of control biomass.SummaryAlthough elicitation is an excellent tool for the production of valuable secondary metabolites in H. perforatum cell and tissue cultures, its exploitation is still in its infancy mainly due to the lack of reproducibility and difficulties in scaling up biomass production.

Occurrence of ticks in the subcutaneous tissue of red foxes, Vulpes vulpes in Czech Republic and Romania

An extensive survey of parasites in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) was independently conducted in Romania and the Czech Republic. Carcasses were examined by necropsy, and small, dark nodules apparently containing ticks were noticed in the subcutaneous tissue of several foxes. Histopathological examination was performed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Of the 91 foxes examined from the Czech Republic, 14 (15.4%) were harboring ticks in the subcutaneous tissue. In the majority of these cases, 1–3 nodules/fox were found, with a maximum of 31 nodules/fox. In Romania a single examined fox had subcutaneous ticks. All ticks collected from subcutaneous tissue were partially engorged adults. Based on morphological features, Ixodes ricinus, I. hexagonus, I. crenulatus and Dermacentor reticulatus were identified. The histopathological examination revealed chronic granulomatous panniculitis with peripheral fibrosis and intralesional presence of the ticks. Only few data are available regarding ticks localized in the subcutaneous tissue of any host. All the ticks were dead or already decomposed and it is evident that subcutaneous location does not represent an evolutionary advantage, as the detachment and finishing the life cycle is impossible.

Comparative Transcriptome Reconstruction of Four Hypericum Species Focused on Hypericin Biosynthesis.

Next generation sequencing technology rapidly developed research applications in the field of plant functional genomics. Several Hypericum spp. with an aim to generate and enhance gene annotations especially for genes coding the enzymes supposedly included in biosynthesis of valuable bioactive compounds were analyzed. The first de novo transcriptome profiling of Hypericum annulatum Moris, H. tomentosum L., H. kalmianum L., and H. androsaemum L. leaves cultivated in vitro was accomplished. All four species with only limited genomic information were selected on the basis of differences in ability to synthesize hypericins and presence of dark nodules accumulating these metabolites with purpose to enrich genomic background of Hypericum spp. H. annulatum was chosen because of high number of the dark nodules and high content of hypericin. H. tomentosum leaves are typical for the presence of only 1–2 dark nodules localized in the apical part. Both H. kalmianum and H. androsaemum lack hypericin and have no dark nodules. Four separated datasets of the pair-end reads were gathered and used for de novo assembly by Trinity program. Assembled transcriptomes were annotated to the public databases Swiss-Prot and non-redundant protein database (NCBI-nr). Gene ontology analysis was performed. Differences of expression levels in the marginal tissues with dark nodules and inner part of leaves lacking these nodules indicate a potential genetic background for hypericin formation as the presumed site of hypericin biosynthesis is in the cells adjacent to these structures. Altogether 165 contigs in H. annulatum and 100 contigs in H. tomentosum were detected as significantly differentially expressed (P < 0.05) and upregulated in the leaf rim tissues containing the dark nodules. The new sequences homologous to octaketide synthase and enzymes catalyzing phenolic oxidative coupling reactions indispensable for hypericin biosynthesis were discovered. The presented transcriptomic sequence data will improve current knowledge about the selected Hypericum spp. with proposed relation to hypericin biosynthesis and will provide a useful resource of genomic information for consequential studies in the field of functional genomics, proteomics and metabolomics.

Peritoneal splenosis mimicking carcinomatosis

Splenosis is an uncommon benign condition resulting from heterotopic autotransplantation of splenic tissues onto exposed vascularised intra- and extraperitoneal surfaces following splenic trauma and surgeries. Splenosis may be mistaken for carcinomatosis upon standard imaging techniques. A 69-year-old female patient with a past medical history of hypertension and splenic trauma, underwent total esophagectomy with polar gastrectomy for adenocarcinoma of the gastric cardia. Macroscopic examination of the surgical specimen disclosed a tumour of the cardia measuring 5 cm in greatest diameter and several dark brown nodules of the greater omentum ranging in size between 2 mm and 12 mm. Histological examination of these nodules confirmed the diagnosis of peritoneal splenosis. The authors emphasize that in patients with a previous history of splenic trauma or surgery, clinicians must consider the existence of splenosis.

Hair repigmentation in melanoma

A 91-year-old woman came to our clinic with a dark nodule on the back of her scalp, which she had first noticed 4 days earlier. She had also noticed progressive repigmentation of otherwise completely white hair at the same site (figure). The repigmentation started with a few strands of reddish hair about 10 years ago. Within a few years, the colour of the repigmented hair changed again from reddish to dark black, and finally to light brown. Interestingly, the patient never had reddish, black, or light brown hair before.

Reconstruction of radial bone defects using the reinforced tissue-engineered periosteum

The objective of this study was to compare the osteogenic potential of reinforced and conventional tissue-engineered periosteum.Adipose-derived stromal cells of rabbits were induced into osteoblasts. Osteoinduced cells were seeded onto chitosan-tricalcium-phosphate-gelatin (Cs-TCP-Gel) and chitosan (Cs) scaffold, thus constructing the reinforced and conventional tissue-engineered periostea, respectively. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and von Kossa staining protocols were used to assess osteoblast phenotype.We surgically created a 15-mm-long bone defect in the right radii of New Zealand rabbits. The defects were treated with reinforced biomimetic periosteum in group A (n = 30) and treated with conventional tissue-engineered periosteum in group B (n = 30).Group C (n = 30) received CS-TCP-Gel scaffold alone, and group D (n = 30) served as untreated side (sham group). Radiologic,histologic, immunohistochemical, and histomorphometric studies were used to analyze healing pattern.ALP was remarkably expressed in the osteoinduced cells, indicating that osteoblastic differentiation was stable. Extracellular matrix calcification with dark nodule was detected by von Kossa staining. Compared with groups B and C, histologic results demonstrated that de novo osteogenesis proliferated in group A at 4 weeks. This was further confirmed by radiographic findings, which displayed the segmental gap completely healed by mature bone at 12 weeks. Robust expression of bone morphogenetic protein-2 in group A was also evident, whereas group D displayed poor osteogenic performance. Furthermore, histomorphometric and biomechanical results in group A demonstrated statistical significance over those in other groups (p 0.05).Our findings show that the reinforced tissue-engineered periosteum is superior to conventional one as a better biomimetic tissue,further indicating that it can repair the weight-bearing defects.

Multiple dunkelblaue Knötchen am Stamm

A 61-year-old man with dark nodules on his trunk was referred by his internist because of concern about a malignant melanoma. Clinically the nodules were blue-purple and had a maximum diameter of 5mm. The main dermoscopic features were red to blue lacunae, which were variously sized and smooth bordered. These typical findings led to certain diagnosis of multiple venous hemangiomas. No further investigation or treatment was required.

Cellular Blue Nevus of the Uterus

Cellular blue nevus is extremely rare in the gynecologic tract with only 2 cases reported thus far, one in the myometrium and the other in the cervix/vagina/hymenal ring. In this report, we present the clinicopathologic features of the second case of cellular blue nevus arising in the myometrium. The patient was a 48-year-old woman who underwent a hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for uterine leiomyomas. On gross examination, the uterus showed a subserosal, 1.0×0.5×0.3 cm, dark red nodule in the anterior uterine wall in addition to multiple leiomyomas. Microscopically, the subserosal dark nodule had an irregular contour with only focal areas of pushing circumscribed border. The tumor cells were arranged either in sheets or confluent nests. The tumor cells were mostly epithelioid with clear cytoplasm, but in some areas the tumor cells were spindle-shaped with eosinophilic cytoplasm. Both types of cells contained intracytoplasmic melanin. The nuclei of the tumor cells were either oval, round, or elongated with no or minimal irregularities of the nuclear membrane, evenly distributed chromatin, inconspicuous nucleoli, and no obvious mitotic figures. Focally some of the epithelioid cells showed enlargement of the nucleus, irregularities in the nuclear contour, and rare nuclear pseudoinclusions. The tumor cells were positive for S-100, HMB-45 antigen (strong and diffuse pattern), and MART-1. Anti-Ki-67 showed a low proliferative activity (only a rare cell marked for this immunomarker). Thus, a diagnosis of cellular blue nevus was established. After a follow-up of 2 months, the patient had no evidence of the disease.

A case of blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm

A 51-year-old man presented with multiple, disseminated dark erythematous maculopapules and nodules over the body surface for more than 1 year. Initially, the patient presented with dark erythematous macules on the trunk without discomfort. Then, lesions gradually spread over the whole body surface with the development of tenderness. Physical examination revealed multiple disseminated dark erythematous, well-demarcated maculopapules, infiltrative plaques and subcutaneous nodules on the face, neck, trunk, upper and lower limbs. Some lesions were tender on palpation. An enlarged cherry-like lymph node was detected on the right inguina. Bone marrow inspiration showed that lymphocytes amounted to 32.5%, and naive lymphocytes accounted for 10%. These lymphocytes varied in size with irregular shape, moderate amount of basophilic cytoplasm, irregular nuclei and granular chromatin. Histopathological examination revealed diffuse infiltrate of numerous medium-sized atypical blastic cells with irregular nuclei in superficial dermis and subcutaneous fat tissue. The blastic cells showed sparse fine-granular chromatin, obscure nucleoli and obvious karyokinesis. Immunophenotype examination showed that tumor cells were strongly positive for CD4, CD56 and CD43, weakly positive for CD68 and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase, but negative for L26, CD3, CD38, granzyme B and myeloperoxidase. The diagnosis of BPDCN is confirmed based on typical clinical features, histopathology and immunohistology findings. Key words: Lymphoma; Dendritic cells; Stem cells; Plasma cells

メルケル細胞癌の1例

自然消退傾向を示したメルケル細胞癌の1例を報告した。症例68歳女。2003年12月頃, 右頬部に米粒大の自覚症状を欠く常色調の小結節が出現。2004年3月当科初診。初診時, 光沢を有し, 紅色調でドーム状に隆起する小指頭大結節が認められた。生検組織では表皮直下から脂肪織にかけて, 繊細な核網を有し円形の核を持つ異型細胞の増殖が認められた。異型細胞はS100蛋白, Synaptophysin, Chromogranin A, Keratin陽性, 電顕検査にて細胞質に有芯顆粒が認められ, Merkel細胞癌と診断した。生検から1ヵ月後の拡大切除時には, 臨床的に生検時の癩痕を認めるのみであった。組織HE染色像でも真皮内にリンパ球の密な浸潤を認めその中に変性した腫瘍細胞塊が散見された。生検時には組織学的に腫瘍は残存しており, 腫瘍細胞が自然消退したものと考えられた。

The Cyborg Astrobiologist: scouting red beds for uncommon features with geological significance

The `Cyborg Astrobiologist' (CA) has undergone a second geological field trial, at a red sandstone site in northern Guadalajara, Spain, near Riba de Santiuste. The Cyborg Astrobiologist is a wearable computer and video camera system that has demonstrated a capability to find uncommon interest points in geological imagery in real-time in the field. The first (of three) geological structures that we studied was an outcrop of nearly homogeneous sandstone, which exhibits oxidized-iron impurities in red and and an absence of these iron impurities in white. The white areas in these ``red beds'' have turned white because the iron has been removed by chemical reduction, perhaps by a biological agent. The computer vision system found in one instance several (iron-free) white spots to be uncommon and therefore interesting, as well as several small and dark nodules. The second geological structure contained white, textured mineral deposits on the surface of the sandstone, which were found by the CA to be interesting. The third geological structure was a 50 cm thick paleosol layer, with fossilized root structures of some plants, which were found by the CA to be interesting. A quasi-blind comparison of the Cyborg Astrobiologist's interest points for these images with the interest points determined afterwards by a human geologist shows that the Cyborg Astrobiologist concurred with the human geologist 68% of the time (true positive rate), with a 32% false positive rate and a 32% false negative rate. (abstract has been abridged).