Short Report： Cyclic patterns of incidence rate for skin malignant melanoma： association with heliogeophysical activity

Background： Our previous studies revealed cyclicity in the incidence rate of skin malignant melanoma （SMM; ICD9, Dx： 172） in the Czech Republic （period T=7.50～7.63 years）, UK （T= 11.00 years） and Bulgaria （T= 12.20 years）. Incidences com- pared with the sunspot index Rz （lag-period dT=＋2, ＋4, ＋6, ＋ 10 or ＋ 12 years） have indicated that maximal rates are most likely to appear on descending slopes of the ;ll-year solar cycle, i.e., out of phase. We summarized and explored more deeply these cyclic variations and discussed their possible associations with heliogeophysical activity （HGA） components exhibiting similar cyclicity. Methods： Annual incidences of SMM from 5 countries （Czech Republic, UK, Bulgaria, USA and Canada） over various time spans during the years 1964-1992 were analyzed and their correlations with cyclic Rz （sunspot number） and aa （planetary geomagnetic activity） indices were summarized. Periodogram regression analysis with trigonometric approximation and phase-correlation analysis were applied. Results： Previous findings on SMM for the Czech Republic, UK and Bulgaria have been validated, and cyclic patterns have been revealed for USA （T=8.63 years, P〈0.05） and Canada （Ontario, T=9.91 years, P〈0.10）. Also, various ＇hypercycles＇ were established （T=45.5, 42.0, 48.25, 34.5 and 26.5 years, respectively） describing long-term cyclic incidence patterns. The association of SMM for USA and Canada with Rz （dT=＋6 and ＋7 years, respectively） and aa （dT=-10 and ＋9 years, respectively） was described. Possible interactions of cyclic non-photic influences （UV irradiation, Schumann resonance signal, low-frequency geomagnetic fluctuations） with brain waves absorbance, neuronal calcium dynamics, neuro-endocrine axis modulation, melatonin/serotonin disbalance and skin neuro-immunity impairment as likely causal pathways in melanoma appearance, were also discussed. Conclusion： The above findings on cyclicity and temporal assoc     

Thermal ablation versus conventional regional hyperthermia has greater anti-tumor activity against melanoma in mice by upregulating CD4~+ cells and enhancing IL-2 secretion

To determine whether conventional hyperthermia (42-45℃) or ablation therapy (＞50℃) achieves better synergistic effects on direct cytotoxicity and anti-tumor immunity,we compared the therapeutic effects of two hyperthermia temperatures,43 and 55℃,in terms of cytotoxicity and upregulation of immune functions in a mouse malignant melanoma model.Melanoma-bearing mice were treated by directly applying regional hyperthermia to the tumor nodule with a heating light at a temperature of 43℃ for 30 min or 55℃ for 10 min.The tumor growth curve and mice survival rate were observed.To investigate the hyperthermia-induced immunological response,peripheral blood CD4~+ and CD8~+ T cells and the serum IL-2 level were determined.Our results indicated that application of regional hyperthermia at the ablation temperature (such as 55℃) achieved better synergistic anti-tumor effects than did conventional hyperthermia (43℃).Significant increases in the number of peripheral blood CD4~+ T cells and the serum IL-2 level likely contributed to the underlying mechanism.     

47例恶性黑色素瘤的临床病理分析

为进一步提高恶性黑色素瘤的诊断水平,选取1980～2005年经病理诊断为恶性黑色素瘤病例47例,进行临床病理资料回顾性分析.恶性黑色素瘤临床表现、病理形态复杂多样,瘤细胞有上皮样、梭形、小痣细胞样、瘤巨细胞等多种类型.瘤细胞可呈巢状、腺泡状、束状、编织状或弥漫散在分布.分析结果表明,结合临床表现,以HE染色切片的细胞形态观察为基础,合理应用S-100蛋白、Vimentin、HMB-45等免疫组化染色,可以及时得出恶性黑色素瘤的明确诊断.