Methodological individualism versus class analysis : the “great recession” as a test case.

While the mainstream economic analysis relates with the other branches of social sciences in an “imperialistic” perspective, an alternative paradigm of social reproduction can contribute to develop an interdisciplinary approach to political economy. Originated in the contributions of Classical economists and Marx and currently developed by the critical schools of economic thought, the paradigm of social reproduction rejects the individualistic foundations of mainstream economics and recognize social classes and related conflicts on production and distribution as essential elements to make economic analysis consistent with the current reality of capitalist development and crisis. In this sense, the alternative paradigm suggests an interpretation of the recent “Great Recession” based on the specific anthropology of consumption of social classes within capitalism and its implications on the pace of aggregate expenditure. Empirical evidence gives support to this interpretation, which also offers some insights about the possible relations between the complex spatial and temporal dynamics of capitalist crisis and the international development of progressive social movements.Mientras el análisis económico tradicional se relaciona con otras ramas de las ciencias sociales bajo una perspectiva “imperialista”, el paradigma alternativo de la reproducción social puede contribuir al desarrollo de una aproximación interdisciplinaria a la economía política. Originado en las constribuciones de los economistas clásicos y Marx y actualmente desarrollada por las escuelas críticas de pensamiento económico, el paradigma de la reproducción social rechaza las bases individualistas de la Economía dominante y reconoce a las clases sociales y los conflictos relacionados con la producción y la distribución como elementos esenciales para realizar análisis económicos consistentes con la actualidad del capitalismo y su crisis. En este sentido, el paradigma alternativo sugiere una interpretación de la reciente “Gran recesión” basado en la antropología del consumo de las clases sociales al interior del capitalismo y sus implicaciones en el ritmo del gasto agregado. La evidencia empírica avala esta interpretación que, también ofrece algunas luces sobre las posibles relaciones entre las complejas dinámicas espaciales y temporales de la crisis capitalista y el desarrollo internacional de movimientos sociales progresistas

Trends in cutaneous melanoma mortality in Italy from 1982 to 2016

Background In Italy, comprehensive national studies, about mortality rates for cutaneous melanoma, are missing. The aim of this study was to analyze the trend of cutaneous melanoma mortality in Italy from 1982 to 2016. Methods Data on death certificates were obtained from Italian National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT: Istituto nazionale di STATistica, Indagine sulle cause di morte). Mortality rates were age-standardized on the European population 2013 and presented per 100,000 individuals. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AMRs) were calculated by sex, age group, and geographic areas. To identify changes in mortality rate trends, a joinpoint regression model was used, and the annual percent change (APC) was estimated. Results In Italy, a total number of 49,312 patients (44.0% women) died for cutaneous melanoma from 1982 to 2016. Melanoma mortality rates significantly increased in the study period in both sexes, with higher AMR values and a steeper increase in men (from 2.71 to 4.02; APC: 1.43; 95% CI 1.26-1.61) than women (from 1.94-2.10; APC: 0.23; 95% CI 0.00-0.46). The largest difference between men and women was observed in patients aged >= 65 years with APC of 2.17 in men (95% CI 1.97-2.37) and 0.37 in women (95% CI 0.08-0.66). Conclusion In conclusion, the melanoma mortality rate in Italy progressively increased especially in elderly men. Several hypotheses might explain the observed age and geographic differences such as sun exposure habits or different strategies of prevention campaigns

Clinical and Dermatoscopic Features of Seborrheic Keratoses According to Skin Types: A Retrospective Study

Introduction: Seborrheic keratoses (SK), are very common benign skin lesions, which may increase in number and size with age. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess any differences seen in seborrheic keratoses in relation to different skin types (ST) and lesion location. Methods: This was a retrospective observational study of 10-months period, based on dermoscopic images of seborrheic keratoses and patient history recorded in database. Patients were categorized according to their age, sex, skin type, and location of SK. Results: The frequency of SK remained high on the back for skin type 1, 2, 3 and 4. This same trend was also seen on the face and chest.  In skin type 3 we saw a reversal of distribution of SK, the highest frequency remained on the back, and this was followed by the chest rather than the face. In skin type 5 and 6, the nature of the distribution of SK was more facial, Conclusions:  In summary our study shows that SK are more commonly seen in males than in females, they tend to dominate in sun exposed sites especially the back and the face. Both the smaller and larger sized SK dominated in ST 1 and 2. The lighter to darker shades of colour seen in seborrheic keratoses varied in accordance with the skin type, with lighter coloured SK being seen more in lighter skin types as compared to darker skin types, whereas bluish coloured SK were seen in all skin types except ST 1

Role of IL-6/STAT3 Axis in Resistance to Cisplatin in Gastric Cancers

Gastric cancer, the second most common cause of death worldwide, is characterized by poor prognosis and low responsiveness to chemotherapy. Indeed, multidrug resistance, based mainly on cellular and molecular factors, remains one of the most limiting factors of the current approach to gastric cancer (GC) therapy. We employed a comprehensive gene expression analysis through data mining of publicly available databases to assess the role of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in gastric cancer drug efficiency. It has been proposed that gastric cancer cells are less sensitive to these drugs because they develop resistance to these agents through activating alternative signalling pathways responsible for overcoming pharmacological inhibition. Our study evaluated the hypothesis that activating STAT3 signalling in response to cisplatin reduces the reaction to the drug. Consistent with this hypothesis, inhibition of interleukin 6 (IL-6)/STAT3 in combination therapy with cisplatin prevented both STAT3 activation and more lethality than induction by a single agent. The data suggest that the IL-6/STAT3 axis block associated with cisplatin treatment may represent a strategy to overcome resistance

Treatment of Cutaneous Melanoma Harboring SMO p.Gln216Arg Mutation with Imiquimod: An Old Drug with New Results

: Melanoma is the most lethal form of skin cancer and its incidence is growing worldwide. In the last ten years, the therapeutic scenario of this disease has been revolutionized by the introduction of targeted therapies and immune-checkpoint inhibitors. However, in patients with many lesions and bulky tumors, in which surgery is no longer feasible, there is a need for new treatment options. Here we report, for the first time to our knowledge, a clinical case where a melanoma patient harboring the SMO p.Gln216Arg mutation has been treated with imiquimod, showing a complete and durable response. To better explain this outstanding response to the treatment, we transfected a melanoma cell line (MeWo) with the SMO p.Gln216Arg mutation in order to evaluate its role in response to the imiquimod treatment. Moreover, to better demonstrate that the antitumor activity of imiquimod was due to its role in suppressing the oncogenic SMO signaling pathway, independently of its immune modulating function, an in vivo experiment has been performed. This clinical case opens up a new scenario for the treatment of melanoma patients identifying a new potentially druggable target

Junctional Nevus and Early Melanoma on Sun-Damaged Skin of the Head/Neck: A Clinico-Pathologic Challenge

Introduction: Melanoma on the head/neck area can show subtle clinical, dermoscopic and histologic features at early stages, being difficult to differentiate from junctional nevi. Objectives: This case series aims to raise awareness on the topic of misdiagnosis of early lentigo maligna as junctional nevi. Methods: From the databases of three pigmented lesion clinics in Italy, Australia, and France, we retrieved all cases of lesions of the head/neck area with an initial histopathologic diagnosis of junctional nevus (JN) or dysplastic junctional nevus (DJN) which subsequently recurred and were ultimately diagnosed as melanoma. Moreover, we also retrieved those cases with an initial diagnosis of JN/DJN made on a partial biopsy that were diagnosed as melanoma after complete surgical removal. Results: Here we report 14 cases in which the initial histologic diagnosis was junctional nevus or dysplastic junctional nevus. The lesions recurred over time with a final diagnosis of lentigo maligna. Conclusions: Clinicians should critically question a given histologic diagnosis of junctional or dysplastic junctional nevus on the head/neck area if the clinical or dermoscopic features are discordant. Clinico-pathologic correlation is the best way to increase diagnostic accuracy and optimize management for the patient

Real-World Experience with Topical 5-Fluorouracil 4% (40 mg/g) Cream for the Treatment of Actinic Keratosis

Introduction:5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is one of the most effective topical treatments for actinic keratosis (AK). A new 4% formulation of 5-FU was recently approved in Europe. Objectives:This study aimed at evaluating 4% 5-FU cream safety and effectiveness in a real-world setting. Methods:Adult AK patients were retrospectively selected from the University of Campania Dermatology Unit database. Selection criteria included a diagnosis of non-hyperkeratotic, non-hypertrophic AK (Olsen grade I and II) of the face, ears, and/or scalp, treatment with 4% 5-FU once daily for 4 weeks, and at least 3 follow-up visits (4 and 8 weeks after treatment initiation, and 6 months after treatment end). The primary objectives were to evaluate AK lesions improvement at 8 weeks and relapse rate at 6 months. Patient-reported erythema and burning sensation intensity were also assessed at 4 weeks. Results: Ninety-eight patients were included in this analysis (male/female 80/18, mean age 74.7 years). AK lesions improvement at 8 weeks resulted complete or significant in 74.5% and 20.4% of the patients, respectively. At 6 months, 65.3% of the patients did not show AK relapses. Burning sensation at 4 weeks was reported as light, moderate, or absent by 44.9%, 22.4%, and 31.6% of the patients, respectively. Erythema was reported as light, moderate, or absent by 37.8%, 51%, and 10% of the patients, respectively. Burning sensation and erythema disappeared gradually during follow-up. No other side effects were reported. Conclusions:In this real-world study 4% 5-FU proved to be highly effective for AK lesions clearance with a favorable safety profile

Detection of human papillomaviruses in paired healthy skin and actinic keratosis by next generation sequencing

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