Pattern of mRNA expression of β-defensins in basal cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Although the human β-defensins hBDs today seem to have diverse functional activities in innate antimicrobial immunity, a few reports also indicated an altered expression of these antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in tissues of cancers such as oral squamous cell carcinoma. The present work was aimed on the study of hBD gene expression in basal cell carcinoma (BCC) which is the most common cancer in humans. METHODS: Twenty-two non-ulcerated BCCs (12 nodular type, 10 superficial type) have been analysed for the presence of hBD (1–3) mRNA by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. As controls, non-lesional skin specimens of BCC patients as well as samples of healthy subjects were assessed by RT-PCR. RESULTS: hBD-1 levels in healthy controls and non-lesional skin of BCC patients were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than the levels observed in tumour tissue. Moreover, BCCs showed significantly (P < 0.05) increased mRNA expression of hBD-2 as compared to controls. There was no significant (P > 0.05) difference between lesional mRNA levels for hBD-3 and those levels observed in controls. The mRNA expression of hBDs (1–3) found in nodular and superficial BCCs did not significantly (P > 0.05) differ. CONCLUSION: The gene expression patterns of hBD-1 and hBD-2 are for the first time shown to be significantly altered in non-ulcerated BCCs as compared to intra-individual and inter-individual controls, respectively. The present findings may indicate that beside the antimicrobial activity of AMPs, hBDs may also play a role in the pathogenesis of BCC. However, functional and immunohistological studies investigating hBDs in patients with BCC are needed to confirm our data

L'infrastructure de recherche « Pôle de données et services pour le système Terre », à la pointe des techniques d'imagerie et de cartographie numérique

National audienceObserve, understand and predict the history, operation and evolution of the Earth system, subject as it is to global changes, is a fundamental topic for research and a necessity for pursuing sustainable development goals. This calls for an interoperable infrastructure to speed up the extraction, analysis, diffusion and intelligent use of data, and for indicators and models derived from national and international systems of observation. Intended for scientists, public officials and innovators, these products and services are accessible via the Internet portals that, used for space missions and observation networks, support sustainable development. Coordinate, federate and optimize the existing set of institutions, arrangements and means are among the major ambitions of the Earth System program (IR Système Terre) with its European and international aspirations.Observer, comprendre et prévoir de manière intégrée l'historique, le fonctionnement et l'évolu­tion du système Terre soumis aux changements globaux est un enjeu fondamental de recherche et une nécessité pour la mise en oeuvre des objectifs du développement durable. Cela nécessite des infrastructures interopérables permettant d'accélérer l'extraction, l'analyse, la diffusion et l'usage intelligent des données, des indicateurs et des modèles issus des systèmes nationaux et internationaux d'observation. Destinés aux scientifiques, aux acteurs publics et à ceux de l'innovation, ces produits et services sont accessibles via des portails dédiés, contribuant aux missions spatiales, à celles des réseaux d'observation et venant en appui des politiques de dé­veloppement durable. Coordonner, fédérer et optimiser l'ensemble des institutions, dispositifs et moyens existants constitue une des ambitions importantes de l'IR système Terre, qui a aussi une vocation européenne et internationale dans ce domaine

Has invasive management for acute coronary syndromes become more 'risk-appropriate': Pooled results of five Australian registries

Background: Despite being recommended in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) guidelines, the use of invasive management within specific risk groups continues to be debated. This study examines the change in the use of invasive management in ACS by patient risk and the associated change in mortality within Australia over the last 17 years. Methods: Pooled cohorts derived from five ACS registries (ACACIA, CONCORDANCE, GRACE, Snapshot-ACS, and Predict) spanned from 1999 to 2015. After excluding patients without a final diagnosis of ACS (n = 4460), enrolled outside Australia (n = 1477) and without an enrolling year (n = 4), 15 912 patients were analysed. Data was stratified across three time periods (1999–2004, 2005–2009, and 2010–2015) using clinical risk characteristics (age, ACS diagnosis, biomarker elevation, and GRACE score) to monitor change in practice. Results: Over the 17-year period, the use of invasive management increased (4073/6863 (59.3%) cases [1999–2009] vs. 6670/8706 (76.6%) cases [2010–2015]). Invasive management accounted for improvements in mortality in intermediate- and high-risk groups (intermediate risk: 14% (95% CI 1–66%) [1999–2009] vs. 49% (95% CI 2–59%) [2010–2015]; high risk: 24% (95% CI 6–42%) [1999–2009] vs. 48% (95% CI 19–76%) [2010–2015]). Patients receiving no angiography compared with interventional management had worse outcomes (1999–2004 1.55 HR [95% CI 1.36–1.80], P < 0.0001 vs. 2010–2015 1.90 HR [95% CI 1.45–2.51], P < 0.0001). Conclusions: Clinical practice in ACS has changed over the last 17 years with positive outcomes seen with invasive management among high-risk patients. Unfortunately, a considerable burden of mortality remains in patients managed medically, highlighting a need for more focused strategies that improve care and outcomes in this group