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One hundred and six melanocytic lesions were studied to determine the value of the so called Ag NOR technique in differentiating dysplastic naevi, Spitz naevi and spindle cell naevi of Reed from malignant melanoma and from ‘banal’ compound or intradermal naevi. In 79 cases Ag NOR counts were possible. The banal naevi (36) had a mean count of 1.54, (SD 0.3), and the unequivocally malignant superficial spreading melanomas (13), lentigo maligna melanomas (4) and secondary melanomas (4) had a mean count overall of 3.9 (SD 1.59). For dysplastic naevi (16) the mean Ag NOR count was 1.63 (SD 0.36) and for Spitz and spindle cell naevi (in toto 6) the figure was 1.72 (SD 0.55). The difference in Ag NOR counts between all types of naevi and all types of melanoma was highly statistically significant, but there was no difference between banal naevi and dysplastic, Spitz, and spindle cell naevi. Correlation of Ag NOR counts between three independent observers was good. This technique may, therefore, be a useful adjunct in separating true melanoma from borderline melanocytic naevi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated the contributions of dose per unit area and area of application to the degree of sensitivity induced by dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). Subjects sensitized with 35.4 μg/cm2 showed equal sensitization whether the total dose was 250 μg applied to 7.1 cm2 or 62.5 μg applied to 1.8 cm2. Three groups of subjects were sensitized with 16.4 μg/cm2 applied as 56 μg on 3.5 cm2, 116 μg on 7.1 cm2 or 232 μg on 14.2 cm2. Although the total dose changed by a factor of four, the proportions of subjects sensitized were comparable (66, 50 and 55%, respectively), and their degrees of reactivity were similar. This contrasts with previous findings that when the area of sensitization was fixed and the concentration was increased over a similar range, highly significant increases in the proportion of sensitized subjects and degree of reactivity occurred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty patients with palmoplantar pustular psoriasis were treated initially for 4 weeks with 70 mg etretinate daily. This led to clinical improvement and a significant fall in pustule count. The patients were then allocated randomly to 30 mg etretinate daily or placebo for a further 12 weeks. There was a rapid deterioration in the clinical condition and a rise in pustule count in the placebo group. The etretinate-treated group still showed clinical improvement and a significantly lower pustule count after 12 weeks. Clinical side-effects were few and adverse effects on liver function and serum lipids were not found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pyoderma gangrenosum may occur in patients with haematological disorders but has not frequently been reported in patients with polycythaemia rubra vera. To support the view that this is a significant association, we report a further two cases and discuss the implications of the development of pyoderma gangrenosum in patients with polycythaemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents information about the research paper entitled "Activated Harvey ras oncogene with a codon 12 mutation derived from a basal cell carcinoma," presented by S. I. White and A. Balmain at the British Society for Investigative Dermatology Annual Meeting, Cambridge, September 1987. The activated ras oncogene has been detected in human malignancies of many histological types. In all cases of activation a point mutation at either codon 12 or 61 has been found. Basal cell carcinoma is the commonest skin malignancy and with ultraviolet light as a major aetiological factor in its genesis an activated oncogene might be expected.