Expression of CCAAT/Enhancer Binding Proteins (C/EBP) is Associated with Squamous Differentiation in Epidermis and Isolated Primary Keratinocytes and is Altered in Skin Neoplasms

The epidermis is a stratified squamous epithelium composed primarily of keratinocytes that undergo sequential changes in gene expression during differentiation. CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins (C/EBP) are members of the bZIP family of DNA binding proteins/transcription factors. Northern analysis demonstrated that C/EBPα, C/EBPβ, and C/EBPδ mRNA are expressed in mouse epidermis and their mRNA levels were generally greater than those observed in other tissues known to express high levels of C/EBP. Western analysis of isolated epidermal cell nuclei demonstrated the presence of a 42 and 30 kDa C/EBPα protein and 35 kDa C/EBPβ protein. Immunohistochemical localization of C/EBPα and C/EBPβ in intact interfollicular epidermis revealed that C/EBPβ expression is exclusive to the nuclei of a three-cell cluster of suprabasal keratinocytes that is morphologically consistent with the central column of the epidermal proliferative unit, and that C/EBPα is expressed in the nuclei and cytoplasm of suprabasal keratinocytes and weakly expressed in a perinuclear manner in some basal keratinocytes. In squamous cell carcinomas the expression of C/EBPα and C/EBPβ was greatly diminished as both the intensity of nuclear staining and the number of cells expressing C/EBPα and C/EBPβ were reduced. In isolated primary mouse keratinocytes, calcium-induced differentiation was accompanied by specific temporal changes in the expression of C/EBPα, C/EBPβ, and C/EBPδ mRNA and C/EBPα and C/EBPβ protein. These results implicate a role for the C/EBP family in the regulation of genes involved in or specifically expressed during the process of squamous differentiation in epidermis

Chest Pain and Costochondritis Associated with Vitamin D Deficiency: A Report of Two Cases

Vitamin D is integral for bone health, and severe deficiency can cause rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Although osteomalacia can cause severe generalized bone pain, there are only a few case reports of chest pain associated with vitamin D deficiency. We describe 2 patients with chest pain that were initially worked up for cardiac etiologies but were eventually diagnosed with costochondritis and vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency is known to cause hypertrophic costochondral junctions in children (“rachitic rosaries”) and sternal pain with adults diagnosed with osteomalacia. We propose that vitamin D deficiency may be related to the chest pain associated with costochondritis. In patients diagnosed with costochondritis, physicians should consider testing and treating for vitamin D deficiency

How best to diagnose iron-deficiency anemia in patients with inflammatory disease?

The serum ferritin level is the most sensitive and specific initial laboratory test for iron- deficiency anemia (IDA) in patients with inflammation. Serum ferritin levels <45 ng/dL confirm IDA, and levels of ≥100 ng/dL essentially rule it out (strength of recommendation [SOR]: B, systematic review of prospective validating cohort studies with heterogeneity). For patients with intermediate serum ferritin levels (45-99 ng/dL), the soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) level and the sTfR-ferritin index (ratio of sTfR to log ferritin) are highly sensitive and specific. An sTfR-ferritin index of ≥1.5 is diagnostic of IDA, even in the presence of acute or chronic inflammation (SOR: B, systematic review of prospective validating cohort studies that lacked standardized reference values)

How do you evaluate macrocytosis without anemia?

Start with a detailed history, paying particular attention to medications and alcohol use (strength of recommendation [SOR]: B, prospective cohort studies). Blood testing can include a peripheral smear, evaluation for vitamin deficiencies (especially B12 deficiency), and liver function tests (SOR: B, inconsistent prospective cohort studies)

Eye movements of students with learning disabilities in reading: A study of problem-solving strategies

In this exploratory study, eye movements of students with and without a learning disability in reading were recorded as they solved a set of third grade science problems. The recorded eye-gaze information included location of eye-gaze fixation on a computer screen, duration of fixation, the path of eye movement, and duration between fixations. The results revealed statistically significant differences in latent response time, question-zone fixation time, total fixations and correct responses

Effects of 17-β-Estradiol and ICI 182 780 on Hair Growth in Various Strains of Mice

17-β-Estradiol (10nmol per 200 μ1 acetone) applied topically twice weekly to the clipped dorsal surface of C57BL/6 or C3H female mouse skin prevented hair growth, as previously described in the CD-1 mouse strain. Twice weekly topical application of the estrogen receptor antagonist, ICI 182 780 (10nmol per 200 μ1 acetone), induced the telogenanagen transition and produced early pigmentation appearance in skin and hair growth in C57BL/6 and C3H female mice. Whereas twice weekly topical application of 10nmol 17-β-estradiol blocked hair growth, the intraperitoneal administration of this dose twice weekly did not block hair growth, suggesting a direct cutaneous effect of 17-β-estradiol. We also evaluated the effect of 17-α-estradiol, 17-β-estradiol, and ICI 182 780 on hair growth in male mice. As observed in female mice, 17-β-estradiol was a potent inhibitor of hair growth and ICI 182 780 stimulated hair growth; however, unlike the results previously observed in female mice, 17-α-estradiol was a potent inhibitor of hair growth in male mice. These results demonstrate that (i) the route of administration of 17-β-estradiol is critical for its ability to block hair growth; (ii) C57BL/6 and C3H mice, two commonly employed mouse strains for hair growth studies, responded to 17-β-estradiol and ICI 182 780 in a manner similar to that described in CD-1 mice; and (iii) the hair follicles of male and female mice respond similarly to 17-β-estradiol and ICI 182 780, but display striking sex differences in the response to 17-α-estradiol on hair growth

The Gas Phase in a Low Metallicity ISM

Original article can be found at: http://journals.cambridge.org/ Copyright International Astronomical Union. DOI: 10.1017/S1743921308024927We present several results from our analysis of dwarf irregular galaxies culled from The HI Nearby Galaxy Survey (THINGS). We analyse the rotation curves of two galaxies based on “bulk” velocity fields, i.e. velocity maps from which random non–circular motions are removed. We confirm that their dark matter distribution is best fit by an isothermal halo model. We show that the star formation properties of dIrr galaxies resemble those of the outer parts of larger, spiral systems. Lastly, we study the large scale (3–D) distribution of the gas, and argue that the gas disk in dIrrs is thick, both in a relative, as well as in an absolute sense as compared to spirals. Massive star formation through subsequent supernova explosions is able to redistribute the bulk of the ISM, creating large cavities. These cavities are often larger, and longer–lived than in spiral galaxies.Peer reviewe