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Response of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) to systemic chemotherapy is unsatisfactory: despite an initially high response rate (RR), duration is always short-lived.To investigate the capability of a third-generation regimen including idarubicin in improving RR and response duration in CTCL patients.Twenty-five patients with advanced CTCL (stages IIB and IV) were treated with a 12-week polychemotherapeutic regimen (VICOP-B), which foresees the use of idarubicin in association with etoposide, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone and bleomycin.The overall objective RR was 80% (36% complete response). The mycosis fungoides (MF) RR was 84%, with a median duration of 8.7 months. The pleomorphic-lymphoma RR was higher (100%), but the corresponding response duration was shorter (median: 3 months). No responses were documented in Sézary syndrome.VICOP-B regimen is effective and feasible as first-line chemotherapy in advanced MF, with or without extracutaneous involvement.

CD26 expression on keratinocytes, in both normal and pathological skin, was investigated using immunohistochemical techniques. A sporadic focal CD26 positivity was found in normal skin, whereas increased expression of CD26 was observed both in cutaneous T-cell lymphomas and in inflammatory skin diseases, e.g. psoriasis, lichen planus and spongiotic dermatitis, in the basal and spinous layers. CD26 keratinocyte staining was not specific for a single disease, but seems to be associated with the presence of a reactive or neoplastic infiltrate in the epidermis. We propose that the CD26 molecule may function as a keratinocyte activation antigen.

Effect of a semi-rigid ankle stabilizer on performance in persons with functional ankle instability [Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy 2000;30(9):552-6] Onderzoeksopzet. Herhaalde intragroepsmetingen.

The ongoing geodynamic processes in the Alpine-Mediterranean area are primarily governed by the relative movement of the African lithospheric plate against the Eurasian plate resulting in a predominantly compressional regime along the zone of contact. A counterclockwise rotation of the African plate caused by a higher spreading rate of the floor of the South Atlantic results in a northward directed push leading to lithospheric shortening in the Mediterranean-Alpine belt of about 5 to 10 mm/y. With a NW-SE oriented spreading in the North Atlantic (about 18 mm/y) the zone of contact is under compression thus providing the framework for mountain building processes accompanied by active rifling in preconditioned zones of lithospheric weakness. Although this framework is generally accepted great uncertainty remains with regard to the exact kinematic and dynamic pattern of the large-scale tectonic collision between these two major lithospheric plates. Satellite based geodetic networks have been established in the past 5 years to elucidate the present-day deformation field in the region of the Calabrian and West Hellenic Arcs. Results of the first analysis are being presented in this paper.

The neuropeptide CGRP (Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide) develops in sensory fibers of the human skin a series of well proven biological effects and seems particularly correlated with the neurogenic inflammation. In the site of intradermic injection of 50 pmol of CGRP, neutrophilic inflammation was documented. For this reason we have studied using the skin window test the chemotactic actions of this neuropeptide in vivo. The apposition of CGRP (12.5 pmol) on the abraded skin modifies neutrophilic egress, increasing that effect in a significant way in comparison with controls. The action on neutrophils of CGRP helps to explain the importance of this neuropeptide in the genesis of the "Neurogenic inflammation".