Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G M Palleschi

Publications and source records attributed to G M Palleschi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Fibrillar pattern of a plantar acquired melanocytic naevus: correspondence between epiluminescence microscopy and transverse section histology.

The main epiluminescence microscopy (ELM) patterns observed on volar acquired melanocytic naevi are the parallel-furrow, the lattice-like and the fibrillar patterns. Because of the peculiar arrangement and configuration of epidermal rete ridges in the glabrous skin, the traditional histological picture does not provide an exact correlation with ELM features. In particular, the fibrillar pattern lacks a histopathological correlate. To clarify the microscopic features of the fibrillar pattern, we used transverse histological sectioning to study an acquired compound melanocytic naevus of the sole, characterized by a mixed parallel-furrow/fibrillar pattern on ELM. Low-magnification images of transverse sections allowed us to highlight the typical anatomical arrangement of the volar skin clearly, while high-magnification images demonstrated that the fibrillar pattern corresponded to parallel striae of intensely pigmented corneocytes arranged obliquely to the cutaneous surface.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Development of oesophageal involvement in a subject with pemphigus vulgaris: a case report and review of the literature.

We present the case of a 50-year-old-man with pemphigus vulgaris involving the oropharyngolaryngeal mucosa and oesophagus. Oesophageal involvement of pemphigus vulgaris is relatively uncommon, especially in subjects in clinical remission, and has been rarely described in the literature. Endoscopic examination should be performed to avoid inappropriate therapy due to misdiagnosis of steroid-induced oesophagitis and peptic ulcers.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed2000

A case of vesiculo-bullous Darier's disease associated with bipolar psychiatric disorder.

We describe the case of a 71-year-old men suffering from Darier's disease since his youth and presenting with intensely itching, vesicular and pustular lesions, localized on his arms, legs and on the ulnar side of his right hand. The patient also had a 30 year-history of bipolar psychiatric disorders. The histopathological examination of lesional skin showed suprabasal acantholytic clefting, hyperparakeratosis, and dyskeratosis. Histopathological and immunopathological (direct and indirect immunofluorescence) results, were consistent with vesiculo-bullous Darier's disease. Corticosteroid therapy with methylprednisolone at low dosage (0.2 mg/kg/day) was started with a quick resolution of the vesicular lesions on his arms and legs.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Pharmacologic modulation by cetirizine of some adhesion molecules expression in psoriatic skin lesions.

BACKGROUND: Adhesion molecules play a major role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory skin diseases by regulating lymphocyte trafficking and homing in an inflamed area. METHODS: The expression of the lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) and of its ligand, the intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) has been studied in psoriatic skin lesions of 10 patients with guttate, nummular, and palmoplantar psoriasis. In addition, the peculiar immunophenotype of infiltrating cells (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD25) and their correlation with HLA-DR expression before and after treatment with oral cetirizine, a highly selective, third generation H1-receptor antagonist has been examined using the labeled avidin biotin (LAB) system. RESULTS: Cetirizine treatment modulated in vivo the expression of adhesion molecules LFA-1/CAM-1 as shown in all cases by decreased levels of their expression on keratinocytes and on dermal endothelial cells (P < 0.001). The expression of HLA-DR on keratinocytes and endothelial cells was also inhibited after treatment. The numbers of infiltrating CD3-, CD4-, CD8-positive cells were reduced, whereas there was no significant modification of CD25-positive cells within the epidermis and the dermis. CONCLUSION: This open clinical trial suggests that cetirizine could be effective in treating psoriasis: (1) for its symptomatic control on itching; (2) for its immunopharmacologic modulation of leukocyte integrins and on the immunophenotype pattern of infiltrating and resident cells, and (3) for contributing to the clearing of the lesions clinically.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1995

Serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in bullous pemphigoid.

BACKGROUND: The importance of eosinophils in the pathogenesis of the major forms of pemphigoid (bullous pemphigoid, cicatricial pemphigoid, herpes gestationis) remains to be confirmed. METHODS: To evaluate the role of eosinophilic infiltrates in these diseases and to detect the presence and activity of eosinophils, we compared the serum levels of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), an eosinophil-derived protein, in 11 healthy subjects and in 10 patients with pemphigoid diseases (8 with bullous pemphigoid, one with cicatricial pemphigoid, and one with herpes gestationis). The serum of two patients with epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) and one with linear IgA bullous dermatosis (LABD) were utilized as a further control. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the mean of serum ECP levels in patients with pemphigoid diseases (25.1 +/- 12.3 micrograms/L, M = SD) and control subjects (2.30 +/- 2.41, micrograms/L +/- SD 2.41) (T = 4.272 P < 0.0001). The two patients with EBA (10.8 and 17.7 micrograms/L) showed contrasting results; the patient with LABD had normal ECP serum levels. The serum levels of ECP were not significantly correlated with the blood eosinophil count (R = 0.103; P = 0.777) in any of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: In pemphigoid disease, the serum levels of ECP seem to be correlated with the activated secreting and tissue-damaging eosinophils found in the dermis, supporting the concept of an active participation of eosinophils in generating cutaneous lesions.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Discoid lupus erythematosus lesions developed on lupus erythematosus profundus nodules.

We describe this case of LEP for its unusual way of presentation. It first appeared with a LEP pattern, followed by a typical DLE of the skin, overlying the nodules only. Moreover, our histologic findings showed the typical pattern of lymphocytic lobular panniculitis, with hyaline necrosis of fat, the lymphoid nodule, and even the lymphocytic nuclear "dust." The epidermal changes, with the liquefaction degeneration of the basal cell layer, a moderate follicular hyperkeratosis, and a perivascular and periappendeal lymphocytic infiltrate, were also observed in the abdominal lesion that developed last without clinically evident DLE.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Structural alterations of basal keratinocytes and capillary loop in psoriasis during treatment with topical calcipotriol.

Recent research has demonstrated the activity of calcipotriol, effective as a potent inhibitor of cellular proliferation and known to increase differentiation in a number of cell lines in the topical treatment of psoriasis. Vit D3 receptors are expressed in keratinocytes and vascular endothelial cells. We studied the alterations in basal keratinocytes (stem cells or anchoring cells) and endothelial cell modification in 6 patients with psoriasis treated with calcipotriol ointment twice a day for 4 weeks. The samples were embedded in Epon resin for thin section and ultrathin section examination by electron microscopy. A normal pattern of distribution of the two different types of basal keratinocytes was observed before treatment. After treatment, only anchoring cells were detected. The alterations of endothelial cells in capillary loop disappeared after treatment, presenting normal aspects. Our morphological findings suggest that calcipotriol is therapeutically effective, due principally to an inhibition of cellular proliferation.

Calcitriol↗
PubMed1992

Carotenoderma: a possible pit-fall in the immunopathologic diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris.

A 30-year-old woman presented with an orange-yellow discoloration of the skin, most noticeable on the palms and soles and nasolabial folds; sclera appeared normal. The patient had observed the abnormal pigmentation of her skin 3 months earlier and noticed that it had become more evident after a sauna she had taken 2 days before our examination. In the last 3 years the patient's diet included about 2 kg of oranges daily (which are notoriously rich in carotene) following her own original idea. Complete laboratory analyses were normal. In particular, thyroid and liver function tests were in the normal range as were serum lipid levels. The serum carotene levels were 410 mg/dL (NV 20-150 mg/dL) and the levels of vitamin A 68 mg/dL (NV 25-60 mg/dL). A punch biopsy, taken from the palm of the right hand, observed under an optic microscope showed an autofluorescence in the superficial horny layer and a pemphigus-like pattern of intercellular autofluorescence. A month after the interruption of the orange-rich diet, the abnormal coloration of the skin disappeared and serum levels of carotene and vitamin A were normal.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

The role of cyclosporine A in the treatment of pemphigus erythematosus.

Steroids are effective in the autoimmune bullous disease pemphigus; however, treatment may be difficult to sustain because of severe side effects. Cyclosporine A acts mainly on helper/inducer T lymphocytes and has few side effects at low doses. We report three patients with pemphigus erythematosus who had a relapse while receiving the maintenance dose of steroid therapy. All patients who were treated with both cyclosporine A (5 mg/kg/d) and prednisone (1 mg/kg/d) responded remarkably well to combined therapy. After clearing, prednisone was discontinued and cyclosporine A was reduced to 2 to 3 mg/kg/d. With this treatment, all patients have been virtually free of symptoms, have remained well, and have had normal laboratory values.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

The role of plasminogen activators in alopecia areata.

Plasminogen activators are serine proteinases which transform the serum zymogen, plasminogen, into plasmin, a broad-spectrum protease with fibrinolytic effect. Two main plasminogen activators have been described in humans: urokinase (UK; molecular weight, 55,000) and tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA; molecular weight, 74,000). Thirteen subjects were studied who had alopecia areata (AA), nine in the active phase and four in remission. There were alterations in the perivascular and peribulbar fibrinolytic activity in the nine subjects in the active phase of disease, suggesting a possible role of plasminogen activators in AA. A modified Todd's autohistographic method was used to evaluate cutaneous fibrinolytic activity (which depended on the activity of plasminogen activators) in the 13 AA subjects and five volunteer controls. Cutaneous fibrinolytic activity was reduced in perivascular areas, but increased in peribulbar areas, in the nine subjects in the active phase of disease. Tests with monoclonal antibodies directed against the catalytic sites of tPA and UK showed that the perivascular fibrinolytic activity was tPA dependent, and the peribulbar fibrinolytic activity was UK dependent.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[Pityriasis rosea-like skin eruptions caused by captopril].

Captopril is an antihypertensive drug that works by inhibiting the angiotensin-converting enzyme and provokes increased levels of plasma quinine. In the case here reported a picture of pityriasis rosea-like reaction is described. The frequency of the observed and reported reactions by captopril suggests a particular caution in the use of this drug.

Captopril↗
PubMed1988

Hair casts.

A case of hair casts in an 8-year-old girl is described. The disorder is rare, the first description dating back to 1897 with a total of only 31 cases reported in the literature since then. The results of research conducted using the optic and electron microscopes (transmission and scanning) are recorded. These studies show that the typical lesion consists of two concentric layers of keratinized cells of differing structure: one resembling the inner layer of Huxley's sheath and the outer layer resembling Henle's layer.

Child↗