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Porokeratosis is a clonal epidermal disorder of keratinization characterized by annular lesions with an atrophic centre and a hyperkeratotic edge. The cornoid lamella is the histopathological hallmark. Six clinical variants are recognized: porokeratosis of Mibelli; disseminated superficial porokeratosis; disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis ( DSAP); porokeratosis plantaris et palmaris disseminata; punctate porokeratosis and linear porokeratosis. Linear porokeratosis is the type most frequently associated with malignant transformation into squamous cell carcinoma ( SCC). It is thought to represent a mosaic form of DSAP and has an incidence of less than 1 in 200 000; treatment options are limited. We describe a patient with systematized linear porokeratosis and multiple SCCs who was successfully treated with bleomycin electrochemotherapy ( ECT), a form of intralesional chemotherapy. In view of their large number, the individual SCCs were treated with bleomycin ECT. One year post-treatment the patient remains tumour free. To our knowledge, this is the first case of multiple SCCs treated by ECT in the context of systematized linear porokeratosis. Our case highlights the challenges associated with diagnosing and managing this unusual form of porokeratosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the intersession reliability of vertical jump height in women and men recorded from a contact mat. Thirty-five women and 35 men performed four testing sessions across a 4-week period, with each session separated by 1 week. Within each testing session, subjects completed three countermovement vertical jumps (CMJs) for maximum height. Reliability statistics were calculated using the highest jump (HIGH) and also from the mean of all three jumps (3 MEAN) during each session. Reliability was calculated as a change in the mean, coefficients of variation (CVs), and intraclass correlations coefficients (ICCs) between testing sessions. For women, jump heights were not substantially different between sessions for either the HIGH or 3 MEAN data. The CVs for women ranged from 4.4 to 6.6% for HIGH and 4.1 to 6.0% for 3 MEAN, with the corresponding ICCs ranging from 0.87 to 0.94 for HIGH and 0.90 to 0.95 for 3 MEAN. For men, jump heights were not substantially different between sessions for HIGH. However, jump heights during session 1 were substantially greater than those during session 2 when using the 3 MEAN data. CVs between sessions for HIGH ranged from 4.0 to 5.6%, and those for 3 MEAN ranged from 4.2 to 5.2%. The ICCs ranged from 0.87 to 0.93 for HIGH and from 0.89 to 0.93 for 3 MEAN. Given the maximal nature of vertical jump tests, it seems appropriate to use the highest jump from a number of trials for women and men when using a contact mat. Practitioners and researchers can use the data to identify the range in which the true value of an athlete's score lies and calculate sample sizes for studies assessing height during CMJs recorded from a contact mat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a viscometric method the latex of Hevea brasiliensis was found to contain a highly active cellulase capable of hydrolysing carboxymethyl cellulose. The enzyme has a pH optimum of around 6.3. It is present in the serum of the latex and is not membrane-bound to any significant extent. Similar cellulase activities were detected in latex from old and new latex vessel rings and also in latex from regularly tapped vessels and newly tapped vessels. The possible role of the enzyme in the removal of cell wall material during the differentiation of latex vessels is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on significance of palliative electrochemotherapy (ECT) treatment option for metastatic malignant melanoma. Topics discussed include consideration of ECT as an appropriate treatment approach by the Great Britain's National Institute for Health & Clinical Excellence for skin metastases; observation of an increment in demands for cytostatic drugs such as bleomycin; and assistance of ECT in reservation of systemic therapies.

A letter to the editor is presented regarding the topical liposomal delivery systems particularly the penetrative capacities of liposomal mithramycin in explanted keloids.

The article presents case studies of two patients, a 77-year-old woman with nodular lesion in the left leg and a 79-year-old woman with a longstanding ulcer on the right lower leg, who had eccrine porocarcinoma (EP). The two patients were diagnosed of different pathogenesis, have undergone wide local excision, and died of different haematological disorders. The diagnosis of EP and mortality rate of the patients are analyzed.

Presents a letter to the editor on the use of sentinel node biopsy in the management of primary cutaneous melanoma.