Bryan R. Davis

Comparative observation of fibroblasts derived from the papillary and reticular dermis of infants and adults: growth kinetics, packing density at confluence and surface morphology

We have confirmed the reports of Harper and Grove (Science, 204 (1979) 526-527), and Azzarone and Macierira-Coehlo (J. Cell Sci., 57 (1982) 177-187) that fibroblasts derived from the papillary dermis have greater in vitro growth potential and longer replicative lifespans than genomically identical fibroblasts derived from the reticular dermis. In addition we demonstrate that the kinetics of cell replication differ for papillary and reticular fibroblasts derived from infant and adult donors. Infant papillary fibroblasts replicate at faster rates than reticular fibroblasts throughout the growth cycle. Adult papillary and reticular fibroblasts replicate at similar rates at low cell densities, but exponential growth of reticular fibroblasts slows at lower cell densities than papillary fibroblasts suggesting that they are more sensitive to density-dependent inhibition of replication. The surface morphologies of reticular fibroblasts and papillary fibroblasts at confluence correlate with their growth kinetics. The decreased cell yields of reticular fibroblasts appears related to the spreading behaviors of individual cells which stretch and occupy more area of the growth surface than do papillary fibroblasts. These data and the reports cited clearly show that one must account for the presence of at least two distinct populations of dermal fibroblasts when examining their biological properties in vitro.

Skin lesions caused by Mycobacterium haemophilum.

Excerpt Mycobacterium haemophilum is a newly recognized pathogen first described and named in 1978 (1). Of nine reported cases, all but one occurred in patients from Israel and Australia who had ly...

Cytophagic histiocytic panniculitis. A variant of malignant histiocytosis.

This report describes a patient with cytophagic histiocytic panniculitis in which the aggressive use of chemotherapeutic agents resulted in an apparent remission. The histiocytic nature of the process was confirmed by immunohistochemical techniques. There are many similarities with malignant histiocytosis, and it is believed that this entity should be regarded as a variant of malignant histiocytosis.

Pyoderma gangrenosum treated with clofazimine: Report of three cases

Three cases of pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) responsive to clofazimine are reported. The ulcers were recalcitrant to other forms of therapy, and the patients were incapacitated. Healing began within 2 or 3 weeks. To our knowledge, these are the first reported cases of PG responsive to clofazimine in the United States.

Treatment of advanced stage mycosis fungoides with bleomycin, doxorubicin, and methotrexate with topical nitrogen mustard (BAM-M)

Ten patients with advanced stage (TNM IIB‐IVB) mycosis fungoides were treated with a combination chemotherapy program consisting of bleomycin and methotrexate weekly, doxorubicin every 3 weeks, and topical nitrogen mustard daily (BAM‐M). Seven patients obtained histologically documented complete remissions ranging from 4 to 105+ months in duration. Median survival is 16.5+ months. Three patients in whom splenomegaly was detected during their staging evaluation underwent splenectomy. These three patients have had unmaintained disease‐free survivals of 36+, 100+, and 105+ months. This study indicates that BAM‐M is effective therapy for advanced stage mycosis fungoides and suggests that the therapeutic role of splenectomy should be evaluated further.