Protein Kinase C Epsilon Overexpression in Prostate Adenocarcinoma is Associated with Oncogenesis

Background: PKCε, an isozyme of serine-threonine kinase, has been implicated in epithelial cancer metastasis and progression. This study investigates the impact of the oncogenic PKCε, overexpressed abnormally in human Prostate tumor samples and cell lines, to understand its efficacy. Methods: The microarray dataset, GSE86257, was processed for normalization. The identification of upregulated and downregulated genes was based on FDR >1 and p <0.05 values. Cytoscape analysis and functional enrichment of significant genes were done. The identified genes were validated on the TCGA dataset and survival analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results: A total of 1524 DEGs were identified with 728 upregulated genes and 818 downregulated genes. The two significant modules with MCODE score:9.0 and Venn analysis provided cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor protein (CDK1), Cyclin B1 (CCNB1), Phospholipase C Gamma 1 (PLCG1), Cyclin Dependent Kinase 9 (CDK9), Phosphoinositide-3-Kinase Regulatory Subunit 3 (PIK3R3), H4 Clustered Histone 6 (H4C6), Phospholipase C Gamma 2 (PLCG2) as most interacting genes. TCGA data analysis and Prognostic analysis revealed CCNBI, CDK9, and PLCG1 associated with poor prognosis. Conclusion: PKCε regulates genes that are responsible for cancer progression. Therefore, targeting PKCε in Prostate cancer may serve as an important regulatory effect and may improve the prognosis of the disease.&nbsp

Idiopathic scrotal calcinosis

Idiopathic scrotal calcinosis (ISC) is a rare and benign disorder first described by Lewinski in 1883. It is characterized by the presence of multiple yellowish-white calcified asymptomatic nodules gradually increasing in size, appearing in the scrotal skin. It appears mainly in men aged 20–40 years. Histopathology ISC reveals calcium deposits within the dermis that may be associated with giant cell reaction. The calcified intradermal nodules that are seen in this condition occur in the presence of normal calcium and phosphate metabolism. Many studies done on this entity spanning over the past years have failed to demonstrate its origin. Though few studies suggest this entity to be a result of dystrophic calcification in a preexisting cyst, many other studies failed to demonstrate histological evidence to the same. Hence, whether this condition is idiopathic or as a result of dystrophic calcification of preexisting cysts including epidermal, eccrine epithelial cyst, or degenerated dartos muscle remains a controversial issue. Associations with connective tissue diseases such as scleroderma, dermatomyositis, and systemic lupus erythematosus have also been known. Surgical excision is the gold standard treatment for this disease. We report two cases, one in a 59-year-old and other in a 47-year-old male, with no known comorbidities, both presenting with asymptomatic multiple hard scrotal nodules. Both the cases revealed dermal deposits of calcium with normal serum calcium and phosphate levels. There was no evidence of keratinous material, epithelial-lined cystic spaces, or preexisting duct-like structures within or around the foci of calcification, suggesting this entity to be distinct from dystrophic calcification in a preexisting cyst. Surgical excision was done with no evidence of recurrence