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The ability of a collagen-based matrix to support cell proliferation, migration, and infiltration has been reported; however, the direct effect of an aqueous collagen suspension on cell cultures has not been studied yet. In this work, the effects of a high-concentration aqueous suspension of a micronized type I equine collagen (EC-I) have been evaluated on a normal mouse fibroblast cell line. Immunofluorescence analysis showed the ability of EC-I to induce a significant increase of type I and III collagen levels, parallel with overexpression of crucial proteins in collagen biosynthesis, maturation, and secretion, prolyl 4-hydroxylase (P4H) and heat shock protein 47 (HSP47), as demonstrated by western blot experiments. The treatment led, also, to an increase of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression, evaluated through western blot analysis, and cytoskeletal reorganization, as assessed by phalloidin staining. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy analysis highlighted the appearance of plasma membrane extensions and blebbing of extracellular vesicles. Altogether, these results strongly suggest that an aqueous collagen type I suspension is able to induce fibroblast myodifferentiation. Moreover, our findings also support in vitro models as a useful tool to evaluate the effects of a collagen suspension and understand the molecular signaling pathways possibly involved in the effects observed following collagen treatment in vivo.

Fibrosis is a severe complication of chronic inflammatory disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Current strategies are not fully effective in treating fibrosis; therefore, innovative anti-fibrotic approaches are urgently needed. TGF-β1 plays a central role in the fibrotic process by inducing myofibroblast differentiation and excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) protein deposition. Here, we explored the potential anti-fibrotic impact of two high concentration multi-strain probiotic formulations on TGF-β1-activated human intestinal colonic myofibroblast CCD-18Co. Human colonic fibroblast CCD-18Co cells were cultured in the presence of TGF-β1 to develop a fibrotic phenotype. Cell viability and growth were measured using the Trypan Blue dye exclusion test. The collagen-I, α-SMA, and pSmad2/3 expression levels were evaluated by Western blot analysis. Fibrosis markers were also analyzed by immunofluorescence and microscopy. The levels of TGF-β1 in the culture medium were assessed by ELISA. The effects of commercially available probiotic products VSL#3® and Vivomixx® were evaluated as the soluble fraction of bacterial lysates. The results suggested that the soluble fraction of Vivomixx® formulation, but not VSL#3®, was able to antagonize the pro-fibrotic effects of TGF-β1 on CCD-18Co cells, being able to prevent all of the cellular and molecular parameters that are related to the fibrotic phenotype. The mechanism underlying the observed effect appeared to be associated with inhibition of the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway. To our knowledge, this study provides the first experimental evidence that Vivomixx® could be considered to be a promising candidate against intestinal fibrosis, being able to antagonize TGF-β1 pro-fibrotic effects. The differences that were observed in our fibrosis model between the two probiotics used could be attributable to the different number of strains in different proportions.

As known, fractional CO2 resurfacing treatments are more effective than non-ablative ones against aging signs, but post-operative redness and swelling prolong the overall downtime requiring up to steroid administration in order to reduce these local systems. In the last years, an increasing interest has been focused on the possible use of probiotics for treating inflammatory and allergic conditions suggesting that they can exert profound beneficial effects on skin homeostasis. In this work, the Authors report their experience on fractional CO2 laser resurfacing and provide the results of a new post-operative topical treatment with an experimental cream containing probiotic-derived active principles potentially able to modulate the inflammatory reaction associated to laser-treatment. The cream containing DermaACB (CERABEST™) was administered post-operatively to 42 consecutive patients who were treated with fractional CO2 laser. All patients adopted the cream twice a day for 2 weeks. Grades were given according to outcome scale. The efficacy of the cream containing DermaACB was evaluated comparing the rate of post-operative signs vanishing with a control group of 20 patients topically treated with an antibiotic cream and a hyaluronic acid based cream. Results registered with the experimental treatment were good in 22 patients, moderate in 17, and poor in 3 cases. Patients using the study cream took an average time of 14.3 days for erythema resolution and 9.3 days for swelling vanishing. The post-operative administration of the cream containing DermaACB induces a quicker reduction of post-operative erythema and swelling when compared to a standard treatment.

Considering the increasing interest in adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) in regenerative medicine, optimization of methods aimed at isolation, characterization, expansion and evaluation of differentiation potential is critical to ensure (a) the quality of stem cells also in terms of genetic stability; (b) the reproducibility of beneficial effects; and (c) the safety of their use. Numerous studies have been conducted to understand the mechanisms that regulate ASC proliferation, growth and differentiation, however standard protocols about harvesting and processing techniques are not yet defined. It is also important to note that some steps in the procedures of harvesting and/or processing have been reported to affect recovery and/or the physiology of ASCs. Even considering the great opportunity that the ASCs provide for the identification of novel molecular targets for new or old drugs, the definition of homogeneous preparation methods that ensure adequate quality assurance and control, in accordance with current GMPs (good manufacturing practices), is required. Here, we summarize the literature reports to provide a detailed overview of the methodological issues underlying human ASCs isolation, processing, characterization, expansion, differentiation techniques, recalling at the same time their basilar principles, advantages and limits, in particular focusing on how these procedures could affect the ASC quality, functionality and plasticity.

A growing body of evidence supports the use of probiotics in the treatment of several skin conditions, including wounds. Even if in vitro and in vivo studies have highlighted the pro-healing effects of some probiotic bacteria, the underlying mechanisms are still not fully defined. The current investigation aimed to determine the re-epithelialization potential of the soluble fraction from lysate of seven different probiotic strains belonging to different genera (i.e., Streptococcus, Lactobacillus, and Bifidobacterium) on in vitro physically wounded HaCaT monolayer model. The results suggested that the soluble fraction of S. thermophilus, L. plantarum, and L. acidophilus promoted the re-epithelialization of scratched HaCaT monolayers, whereas those from B. longum, B. infantis, and B. breve significantly inhibited the process. On the other hand, L. bulgaricus showed no significant effect on in vitro wound repair. The mechanisms underlying the pro- or anti-healing properties of selected bacterial strains strictly and positively correlated with their ability to modulate nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2) expression and activity. Accordingly, the pre-treatment with aminoguanidine (AG), a specific inhibitor of NOS2 activity, abrogated the pro-healing effects of S. thermophilus, L. plantarum, and L. acidophilus.

Wound healing is a complex process with a linear development that involves many actors in a multistep timeline commonly divided into four stages: Hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Chronic non-healing wounds fail to progress beyond the inflammatory phase, thus precluding the next steps and, ultimately, wound repair. Many intrinsic or extrinsic factors may contribute to such an occurrence, including patient health conditions, age-related diseases, metabolic deficiencies, advanced age, mechanical pressure, and infections. Great interest is being focused on the adipose tissue-derived stem cell’s (ASC) paracrine activity for its potential therapeutic impact on chronic non-healing wounds. In this review, we summarize the results of in vitro and in vivo experimental studies on the pro-wound healing effects of ASC-secretome and/or extracellular vesicles (EVs). To define an overall picture of the available literature data, experimental conditions and applied methodologies are described as well as the in vitro and in vivo models chosen in the reported studies. Even if a comparative analysis of the results obtained by the different groups is challenging due to the large variability of experimental conditions, the available findings are undoubtedly encouraging and fully support the use of cell-free therapies for the treatment of chronic non-healing wounds.

Health benefits of probiotics have been established by several studies in animals and humans and the scientific literature shows that the clinical uses of probiotics are broad and are open to continuing evaluation. The most common microorganisms used as probiotics are strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), which are gram-positive, nonsporing, catalase-negative organisms that are devoid of cytochromes and of nonaerobic habit, but are aerotolerant, acid-tolerant, and strictly fermentative; lactic acid is the major end product of sugar fermentation. Particular attention is paid to specific species of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), including Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria, that are part of the intestinal microbiota. Most probiotics are included in foods or dietary supplements and are aimed at functioning in the intestine. However, even if gastrointestinal tract has been the primary target, it is becoming evident that other conditions not initially associated with the gut microbiota might also be affected by probiotics. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2010.

Background: Langerhans Cells are a subset of antigen-presenting dendritic cells belonging to the histiocytic system and are classified into Langerhans cell histiocytosis and Langerhans cell sarcoma. Histiocyte tumors are among the more uncommon neoplasms affecting lymphoid tissues, probably representing less than 1% of all malignancies involving lymph nodes or soft tissues. Langerhans cell sarcoma can be limited to the skin, or it can spread to other organs. To the best of our knowledge, primary cutaneous Langerhans cell sarcoma without any extracutaneous associations is extremely rare; we describe a young male patient with this rare condition. Materials and Method: After the surgical excision the specimen underwent to Immunohistochemistry staining showing that the tumor cells were diffusely positive for vimentin, S-100, CD68, CD1a, and langerin but negative for melan-A and pan-cytokeratin. The Ki-67 proliferating index was high at approximately 12%. Discussion and Conclusion: Histiocytoses are rare neoplasms with a highly unpredictable clinical course ranging from spontaneous regression to highly aggressive, even fatal, disease. Cutaneous Langerhans cell sarcoma, with its rareness in skin and its poorly differentiated morphologic features, shares a differential diagnosis with other epithelial or mesenchymal skin neoplasms nonetheless the typical immunophenotype features langerin, CD1a, and S-100 are helpful to achieve an accurate diagnosis of these dendritic-cell tumors.

The basic rules of UAL as described by Zocchi were followed without regard to other limitations such as ultrasonic energy site times, body areas, and level of tissue planes. US alters adipose tissue through micromechanical disruption and cavitation with minimal thermal effect. The cavitational effect is a dynamic phenomenon, triggered by the accomplishment of resonance frequency of cell membrane. Resonance frequency is dependent on the kind of tissue and surrounding environment characteristics that usually change continually during treatment. To use the better frequency in all conditions and to maintain the maximum effectiveness, the MAUL technology was introduced. This new technology uses last-generation microchips to determine the best resonance frequency every 10 s by measuring tissue humidity and impedance. By maintaining the better frequency during treatment, the new technology concentrates the entire ultrasound energy on the adipose cells minimizing the thermal effect on the cutaneous deeper layer and maximizing the lipoclastic effect.

As the most common form of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is typified by locally infiltrative growth and a very low risk of metastasis. On occasion, however, this otherwise indolent neoplasm may behave aggressively, demonstrating deep tissue invasion and a high rate of postsurgical recurrence. The pathogenesis and determinants of such tenacious growth are not completely understood. Only 1% of all BCC’s achieve the status of ‘giant’, as defined in 1988 by the American Joint Committee on Cancer. In this article, the authors provide a comprehensive review of the scientific literature on giant basal cell carcinoma (GBCC) of the skin and report their experience with this rare tumour subtype.

Several studies have demonstrated that ceramides play an essential role in both the barrier and water-holding functions of healthy stratum corneum, suggesting that the dysfunction of the stratum corneum associated with ageing as well that observed in patients with several skin diseases could result from a ceramide deficiency. In a previous study our group reported a significant increase in skin ceramide levels in healthy subjects after treatment in vivo with a cream containing a preparation of Streptococcus thermophilus. The presence of high levels of neutral sphingomyelinase activity in this organism was responsible for the observed increase of stratum corneum ceramide levels, thus leading to an improvement in barrier function and maintenance of stratum corneum flexibility. The aim of the present work is to investigate the effects of the topical treatment of a Streptococcus thermophilus-containing cream on ceramide levels of stratum corneum of healthy elderly women. The ceramide levels, transepidermal water loss and capacitance were evaluated on stratum corneum sheets from the forearms of 20 healthy female subjects treated with a base cream or the same cream containing a sonicated preparation of the lactic acid bacterium Streptococcus thermophilus. A 2-week topical application of a sonicated Streptococcus thermophilus preparation led to significant and relevant increase of stratum corneum ceramide levels. Moreover, the hydration values of the treated forearm of each subject was significantly higher than control sites. These results suggest that the experimental cream was able to improve the lipid barrier and to increase a resistance against ageing-associated xerosis.

An artificial wound in a confluent monolayer of human keratinocyte HaCaT cells or mouse embryo fibroblast Swiss NIH 3T3 cells was used to analyze the effects of the nitric oxide (NO) chemical donor, S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP). SNAP exposure promoted an enhanced rate of wound closure and accelerated motility of both keratinocytes and fibroblasts compared to control cells. The wounded monolayer cultures of HaCaT and NIH 3T3 cells, treated with or without SNAP, were monitored under a phase contrast microscope. Structural and ultrastructural modifications were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The images were captured by a digital camera at different time points (0-28 h) and the wound area was analyzed through software included in Matlab®. As early as 15 min, SNAP induced significant cytoskeletal remodeling, as shown by immunostaining (phalloidin-labelling), which in turn was associated with increased filopodium number and length rise. NO donor treatment also induced overexpression of Ki-67 protein, a typical marker of cell proliferation, as shown by immunostaining. Both SNAP-induced migration and proliferation were antagonized by the NO-sensitive GC inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[-4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), which suggests activation of the NO/cGMP signalling cascade in the observed SNAP-induced effects in the early stages of the healing process. Moreover, we provide evidence that PPAR-β antagonist (GSK0660) may interfere with NO-mediated wound healing process. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 2185-2195, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A reduced amount of total ceramides could be responsible for functional abnormalities of the skin of atopic dermatitis (AD) patients. The ability of an experimental cream containing sonicated Streptococcus thermophilus to increase skin ceramide levels in healthy subjects has been previously reported. The aim of the present work was to investigate the effects of the topical administration of a S. thermophilus-containing cream on ceramide levels of stratum corneum from AD patients. A 2-week application of the cream, containing a sonicated preparation of the lactic acid bacterium S. thermophilus, in the forearm skin of 11 patients led to a significant and relevant increase of skin ceramide amounts, which could have resulted from the sphingomyelin hydrolysis through the bacterial sphingomyelinase. Moreover, in all patients the topical application of our experimental cream also resulted in the improvement of the signs and symptoms characteristic of AD skin (i.e. erythema, scaling, pruritus).

First described in detail by Rees and Aston in 1974, tuberous breast deformity is a pathologic condition of the breast affecting teenage woman either unilaterally or bilaterally. Other names of this deformity include snoopy breast, conical breast, tubular breast deformity, domen nipple, lower pole hypoplasia. The clinical aspect of this malformation is the base absence or deficient in vertical as well as horizontal dimension.

The use of ultrasound in liposuction was first introduced by Kloehn. The ultrasound frequencies used in this technology have a high degree of selectivity for fat cells, thus reducing blood loss, postoperative edema, and ecchymosis and avoiding contour irregularities. The authors report their 5 years of experience with a multifrequency ultrasound generator and describe their series with the aim to focus attention on the problems linked with ultrasound use. A total of 797 patients were selected to receive ultrasound assisted liposuction (UAL). Accurate preoperative planning was conducted for all the patients before admission to the surgical quarter. Liposuction was performed using general anesthesia for 538 patients (63 %), peripheral anesthesia for 220 patients (25.76 %), and local anesthesia for 96 patients (11.24 %). The ultrasound generator device was set by choosing the better working protocol (continuous or pulsed mode) according to the tissue characteristics, and the frequency test was performed. A photo of the patient was taken before surgery and at every follow-up visit to estimate the results and to have an objective evaluation of the outcome. The patient’s opinion of the results also was recorded using a graduated scale. The results were excellent in 204 cases (25.4 %), good in 356 cases (44.6 %), moderate in 174 cases (22 %), and poor in 63 cases (8 %). For body contour improvement, UAL is an essential procedure. The introduction of multifrequency UAL, or rather the possibility of using the better working frequency during the treatment, allows better results, thus improving patient outcome. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common tumor of skin. Its incidence increases with age, although it is relatively infrequent under the age of 50 years, and its occurrence in childhood is exceedingly rare. This article describes an otherwise typical basal cell carcinoma arising in young patient, with emphasis on histologic diagnosis.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious infection afflicting a multitude of people worldwide. Recently, its prevalence has increased. The incidence of skin involvement generally is low. Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is a live attenuated strain of Mycobacterium bovis that typically is administered as a vaccine to stimulate the immune system when treating some early neoplasms or to guard against tuberculosis. Methods: Case report and literature review. Case Report: The authors describe a young man with osteosarcoma of the left hemipelvis who received intradermal BCG injection for immune stimulation prior to surgery. In the course of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, he developed cutaneous tuberculosis. Conclusion: It is our opinion that BCG injection should be avoided in all patients requiring surgery, especially in oncologic patients, where the immunodeficiency brought on by chemotherapy predisposes to active opportunistic infection.

The concept of probiotic bacteria is considerably evolving. Clinical and experimental researches extensively document that beyond probiotic capacity to influence positively the intestinal functions, they can exert their benefits at the skin level thanks to their peculiar properties. Indeed, scientific and evidence-based reports strengthen the assumption that certain probiotics can contribute to modulate cutaneous microflora, lipid barrier, and skin immune system, leading to the preservation of the skin homeostasis. In this chapter, the most relevant evidences available from scientific literature as well as registered patents have been summarized in relation to actual or potential topical applications of probiotics in the field of dermatology. Altogether the evidences reported in this review afford the possibility of designing new strategies based on a topical approach for the prevention and treatment of cutaneous disorders.

ejd.2011.1363 Auteur(s) : Giovanni Zoccali zoccali.giovanni@virgilio.it, Reza Pajand, Gino Orsini, Maurizio Giuliani L’Aquila University Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Via Monte Rotondo 8, 67100 L’Aquila Italy Desmoplastic fibroma (DF) was first described in 1995 by Evans [1] as a distinctive benign tumor of fibrous soft tissue. One year later Nielsen et al. [2] redefined the pathology, referring to it as collagenous fibroma. Clinically, DF presents as a non-tender, firm, and slow-growing [...]

Wound healing problem requires the analysis of tens of images from different microscopic systems. We describe a set of semi-automatic algorithms to analyze a variety of microscopy images used to study the wound healing process. The proposed suite, beside the phase contrast images, allows analyzing fluorescent microscopy images, inverted light microscopy images at different magnification and staining methods, or images obtained by scanning electron microscopy. The proposed software is designed in Matlab®. It is suggested to integrate it into the CellProfilerTM software, thus introducing new functionalities without losing the CellProfiler existing capabilities. The approach is efficient, easy-to-use, and enables biologists to comprehensively and quantitatively address many questions of the wound healing problem.

Hypermelanosis includes a diverse group of genetic and acquired skin anomalies that appear as darker, hyperpigmented areas. Melasma, in particular, is a hypermelanotic condition that affects sun-exposed skin in females. Whether this condition is acquired or genetic is still controversial. However, it clearly correlates with exposure to UV light, a genetic predisposition, and hormonal variations (from pregnancy or oral contraceptives). Between October 2006 and March 2008, 38 patients with melasma were treated with intense pulsed light (IPL) at the LASER Center of the Department of Health Science, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Session, University of L’Aquila. Diagnosis was based on medical history, physical examination, and video microscopy. Results were graded as excellent, good, moderate, or poor. Grades were given according to outcome scale and reported complications. All 38 patients had follow-up checks at 30 days, 3 months, and 6 months and someone at more than 1 year. Results were excellent in 18 patients (47.37%), good in 11 (28.95%), moderate in 5 (13.16%), and poor in 4 cases (10.52%). From a careful review of the scientific literature and according to our personal clinical experience, IPL stands out as an effective tool in the treatment and healing of a high percentage of hypermelanosis and melasma, with a very low risk of complications and an excellent satisfaction rate among patients.

The aim of our study has been to investigate the presence of alterations of body image and psychiatric symptoms in a sample of patients candidates to participate in cosmetic surgery.It has been recruited 56 outpatients (M=12; F=44) of mean age of 37, 55 years (ds 13.31) consecutively afferent to the Plastic Surgery Ward at the University of L'Aquila. All patients were Plastic Surgery candidates. They have been evaluated by administration of the following instruments: Self-Report Symptom Inventory-Revised (SCL-90) and the Body Uneasiness Test (BUT).The sample was divided into two groups in order to BUT positivity (33.92% positive versus 66.02% negative). Both groups have showed statistically significant differences (p0.01) in all SCL-90 dimensions moreover the BUT positive patients have showed greater scores in all SCL-90 dimensions than BUT negative patients.Our data indicate the high prevalence of body image disorders and the presence of other psychiatric symptoms in Plastic Surgery patients.Our study confirm the importance of psychiatric evaluation in those patients. Therefore, a liaison between Psychiatric Service and Plastic Surgery is needed and the consequent psychiatric evaluation results essential to give indications for complete surgical cosmetic procedures.

A reduced amount of total ceramides could be responsible for functional abnormalities of the skin of atopic dermatitis (AD) patients. The ability of an experimental cream containing sonicated Streptococcus thermophilus to increase skin ceramide levels in healthy subjects has been previously reported. The aim of the present work was to investigate the effects of the topical administration of a S. thermophilus-containing cream on ceramide levels of stratum corneum from AD patients. A 2-week application of the cream, containing a sonicated preparation of the lactic acid bacterium S. thermophilus, in the forearm skin of 11 patients led to a significant and relevant increase of skin ceramide amounts, which could have resulted from the sphingomyelin hydrolysis through the bacterial sphingomyelinase. Moreover, in all patients the topical application of our experimental cream also resulted in the improvement of the signs and symptoms characteristic of AD skin (i.e. erythema, scaling, pruritus).

Cystic chondromalacia of the auricle is an uncommon condition in which a degenerative process occurs within the cartilage. The disorder affects young and middle-aged people. Clinically, it manifests as a painless, fluctuant swelling that frequently relapses despite various therapeutic approaches. In this article we report a typical case of cystic chondromalacia of the auricle that was successfully treated by surgery—specifically, dual-plane dissection—and we briefly review the literature.

Gorlin syndrome, also known as nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS), is a hereditary condition transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait with high penetrance and variable expressivity. The syndrome is characterized by numerous manifestations: basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs) are the leading ones. In this article a typical Gorlin syndrome case associated with basal cell carcinoma of the vulva is described.

In the present work the effects of a new low frequency, high intensity ultrasound technology on human adipose tissue ex vivo were studied. In particular, we investigated the effects of both external and surgical ultrasound-irradiation (10 min) by evaluating, other than sample weight loss and fat release, also histological architecture alteration as well apoptosis induction. The influence of saline buffer tissue-infiltration on the effects of ultrasound irradiation was also examined. The results suggest that, in our experimental conditions, both transcutaneous and surgical ultrasound exposure caused a significant weight loss and fat release. This effect was more relevant when the ultrasound intensity was set at 100% (∼ 2.5 W/cm2 for external device; ∼19–21 W/cm2, for surgical device) compared to 70% (∼ 1.8 W/cm2 for external device; ∼13–14 W/cm2 for surgical device). Of note, the effectiveness of ultrasound was much higher when the tissue samples were previously infiltrated with saline buffer, in accordance with the knowledge that ultrasonic waves in aqueous solution better propagate with a consequently more efficient cavitation process. Moreover, the overall effects of ultrasound irradiation did not appear immediately after treatment but persisted over time, being significantly more relevant at 18 h from the end of ultrasound irradiation. Evaluation of histological characteristics of ultrasound-irradiated samples showed a clear alteration of adipose tissue architecture as well a prominent destruction of collagen fibers which were dependent on ultrasound intensity and most relevant in saline buffer-infiltrated samples. The structural changes of collagen bundles present between the lobules of fat cells were confirmed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) which clearly demonstrated how ultrasound exposure induced a drastic reduction in the compactness of the adipose connective tissue and an irregular arrangement of the fibers with a consequent alteration in the spatial architecture. The analysis of the composition of lipids in the fat released from adipose tissue after ultrasound treatment with surgical device showed, in agreement with the level of adipocyte damage, a significant increase mainly of triglycerides and cholesterol. Finally, ultrasound exposure had been shown to induce apoptosis as shown by the appearance DNA fragmentation. Accordingly, ultrasound treatment led to down-modulation of procaspase-9 expression and an increased level of caspase-3 active form.

The Authors report the incidence of local relapsing in a group of 362 patients who underwent Patey's mastectomy from 1974 to 1985. The overall incidence was 9.6%. The predictive factors of major value were: presence of lymph node metastases, primary tumor size and grading.

Although breast metastases are not frequent, the most common ones are from cutaneous melanoma. In this paper two cases of breast metastases from malignant melanoma are reported. The literature is reviewed and the diagnostic and therapeutic problems related to metastatic mammary neoplasms are analyzed.

Current management of atopic dermatitis is mainly directed to the reduction of cutaneous inflammation. Since patients with atopic dermatitis show abnormalities in immunoregulation, a therapy aimed to adjust their immune function could represent an alternative approach, particularly in the severe form of the disease. Indeed, T-lymphocytes constitute a large population of cellular infiltrate in atopic/allergic inflammation and a dysregulated T-cell induced keratinocyte apoptosis appears to be an important pathogenetic factor of the eczematous disease. In recent years, attention has been focused on the interaction between host and probiotics which may have anti-inflammatory properties and immunomodulatory activities. The aim of the present work is to investigate the effect of a selected probiotic extract, the Bifidobacterium infantis extract, on a human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT) abnormal apoptosis induced by activated-T-lymphocyte. An in vitro model of atopic dermatitis was used to assess the ability of the probiotic extract to protect HaCaT from apoptosis induced by soluble factors (IFN-γ and CD95 ligand) released by human T-lymphocytes in vitro activated with anti-CD3/CD28 mAbs or Phytohemoagglutinin. Evidence is given that the bacterial extract treatment was able to totally prevent T lymphocyte-induced HaCaT cell apoptosis in vitro. The mechanism underlying this inhibitory effect has been suggested to depend on the ability of the bacterial extract to significantly reduce anti-CD3/CD28 mAbs and mitogen-induced T-cell proliferation, IFN-γ generation and CD95 ligand release. These preliminary results may represent an experimental basis for a potential therapeutic approach mainly targeting the skin disorders-associated immune abnormalities.