Expression of the human erythrocyte glucose transporter Glut1 in cutaneous neoplasia

Background: The increased glucose uptake seen in cancer cells correlates with the expression of human erythrocyte glucose transporter (Glut1) protein in certain human malignancies. Objective: Our purpose was to determine Glut1 expression in cutaneous neoplasms. Methods: A polyclonal anti-Glut1 antibody (MYM) and a standard ABC immunoperoxidase technique were used to determine Glut1 expression in invasive squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), SCC in situ, basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), melanomas, actinic keratoses (AKs), seborrheic keratoses, common acquired nevi, and scars with regenerative epidermal hyperplasia. Results: All of the cases of SCC in situ, 14 of 15 (93%) of the SCC, and 13 of 15 AKs (87%) showed intense membranous staining for Glut1. Glut1 staining was present in the epidermis of 8 of 15 scars (53%) but was not detected in any BCC, even in areas of focal keratinization and squamous metaplasia. Glut1 reactivity was absent in the melanomas and seborrheic keratoses. Conclusion: Glut1 expression in a cutaneous lesion strongly suggests a proliferative lesion of the squamous cell type

Carotid artery web and ischemic stroke: A case-control study

Objective: To determine whether there is an association between carotid artery web and ischemic stroke. Methods: This was a single-center, age- and sex-matched, case-control study. Cases were consecutive patients with anterior circulation ischemic stroke of undetermined etiology (Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment [TOAST] classification). Controls were consecutive patients with cerebral aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, or primary intracerebral hemorrhages. Additional inclusion criteria were age <60 years and CT angiography of the neck. Two neuroradiologists diagnosed webs according to previously published criteria. One neuroradiologist also assessed for nonstenotic atherosclerotic plaque (carotid wall thickness ≥3 mm or intramural calcification). We used conditional logistic regression to estimate the odds ratio between carotid web and ischemic stroke and its 95% confidence interval. Results: Fifty-three of 62 cases (85%) were matched by age (within 1 year) and by sex to 102 controls. There was a carotid web in 4 of 53 cases (9.4%) vs 1 of 102 controls (1.0%, odds ratio = 8.0, 95% confidence interval = 1.2-67, p = 0.032). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of nonstenotic carotid atherosclerotic plaque between the case and control groups. There was agreement on diagnosis of web for 163 of 164 patients (99%) and 7 of 8 webs (88%), and the Cohen for interobserver agreement was 0.93. Conclusions: There is an association between carotid artery web and ischemic stroke in patients who lack an alternative cause of stroke. Carotid web may be an underappreciated risk factor for stroke