Prognostic Role of Claudin-1 Immunohistochemistry in Malignant Solid Tumors: A Meta-Analysis

Background Although the correlation between low claudin-1 expression and worse prognosis has been reported, details on the prognostic implications of claudin-1 expression in various malignant tumors remain unclear. The present study aimed to elucidate the prognostic roles of claudin- 1 immunohistochemistry (IHC) in various malignant tumors through a meta-analysis. Methods The study included 2,792 patients from 22 eligible studies for assessment of the correlation between claudin-1 expression and survival rate in various malignant tumors. A subgroup analysis based on the specific tumor and evaluation criteria of claudin-1 IHC was conducted. Results Low claudin-1 expression was significantly correlated with worse overall survival (OS) (hazard ratio [HR], 1.851; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.506 to 2.274) and disease-free survival (DFS) (HR, 2.028; 95% CI, 1.313 to 3.134) compared to high claudin-1 expression. Breast, colorectal, esophageal, gallbladder, head and neck, and lung cancers, but not cervical, liver or stomach cancers, were significantly correlated with worse OS. Breast, colorectal, esophageal, and thyroid cancers with low claudin-1 expression were associated with poorer DFS. In the lower cut-off subgroup (< 25.0%) with respect to claudin-1 IHC, low claudin-1 expression was significantly correlated with worse OS and DFS. Conclusions Taken together, low claudin-1 IHC expression is significantly correlated with worse survival in various malignant tumors. More detailed criteria for claudin-1 IHC expression in various malignant tumors are needed for application in daily practice

Effects of a Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Antagonist on Experimentally Induced Rhinosinusitis

This prospective, randomized, and controlled study examined the effects of tumor necrosis factor soluble receptor type I (sTNFRI, a TNF-α antagonist) on experimentally induced rhinosinusitis in rats. The experimental groups received an instillation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plus an intramuscular injection of amoxicillin/clavulanate (antibiotic group), an instillation of sTNFRI (sTNFRI group), an instillation of sTNFRI and an injection of amoxicillin/clavulanate (sTNFRI/antibiotic group), or no additional treatment (LPS group). Histopathological changes were determined using hematoxylin-eosin and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining. Leakage of exudate was determined using fluorescence microscopy. Vascular permeability was measured using the Evans blue dye technique. Expression of MUC5AC was measured using reverse transcriptase PCR. The sTNFRI, antibiotic, and sTNFRI/antibiotic groups had significantly less capillary permeability, mucosal edema, PAS staining, and expression of MUC5AC than the LPS group. There were no differences in capillary permeability, mucosal edema, PAS staining, and MUC5AC expression between the sTNFRI and sTNFRI/antibiotic groups. The antibiotic group had PAS staining similar to that of the sTNFRI and sTNFRI/antibiotic groups but had a greater increase in capillary permeability, mucosal edema, and MUC5AC expression. This study shows that sTNFRI reduces inflammatory activity and mucus hypersecretion in LPS-induced rhinosinusitis in rats

The Genome Sequence of 'Mycobacterium massiliense' Strain CIP 108297 Suggests the Independent Taxonomic Status of the Mycobacterium abscessus Complex at the Subspecies Level

Members of the Mycabacterium abscessus complex are rapidly growing mycobacteria that are emerging as human pathogens. The M. abscassus complex was previously composed of three species, namely M. abscessus sensu strict, 'M. massiliense', and M. bolletii', In 2011, 'M. massiliense' and 'M. bolletre' were united and reclassified as a single subspecies within M. abscessus: M. abscessus subsp. bolletii. However, the placement of 'M. massiliense' Within the boundary of M. abscessus subsp. balletii remains highly controversial with regard to clinical aspects. In this study, we revisited the taxonomic status of members of the M. abscessus complex based on comparative analysis of he whole-genome sequences of 53 strains, The genome sequence of the previous type strain of 'Mycobacterium massiliense' (CIP 108297) was determined using next-generation sequencing. The genome tree based on average nucleotide identity (AN I) values supported the differentiation of M. bolletii' and M. massiliense' at the subspecies level. The genome tree also clearly illustrated that 'M. bolletil' and 'M. massiliense' form a distinct phylogenetic clade within the radiation of the M. abscessus complex. The genomic distances observed in this study suggest that the current M. abscessus subsp. bolletii taxon should be divided into two subspecies, M. abscessus subsp. massiliense subsp. nov. and M. abscessus subsp. bolletii, to correspondingly accommodate the previously known 'M. assiliense' and 'M. bolletii' strains.

Clarithromycin Susceptibility Testing of Mycobacterium avium Complex Using 2,3-Diphenyl-5-thienyl-(2)-tetrazolium Chloride Microplate Assay with Middlebrook 7H9 Broth

A series of 119 Mycobacterium avium complex isolates were subjected to clarithromycin susceptibility testing using microplates containing 2,3-diphenyl-5-thienyl-(2)-tetrazolium chloride (STC). Among 119 isolates, 114 (95.8%) were susceptible to clarithromycin and 5 were resistant according to the new and the standard method. STC counts the low cost and reduces the number of procedures needed for susceptibility testing

Effect of the glyceryl monooleate-based lyotropic phases on skin permeation using in vitro diffusion and skin imaging

AbstractGlyceryl monooleate (GMO) is a polar lipid that can exist in various liquid crystalline phases in the presence of different amounts of water. It is regarded as a permeation enhancer due to its amphiphilic property. Various phases of GMO/solvent system containing sodium fluorescein were prepared to compare permeability using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). GMO was melted in a vial in a water bath heated to 45 °C. Propylene glycol and hexanediol were homogeneously dissolved in the melted GMO. Sodium fluorescein in aqueous solution was diluted to various ratios and thoroughly mixed by an ultrasonic homogenizer. Each GMO/Solvent system with fluorescein was applied onto the epidermal side of excised pig skin and incubated overnight. CLSM was performed to observe how the GMO/solvent system in its different phases affect skin permeability. Cubic and lamellar phase formulations enhanced the fluorescein permeation through the stratum corneum. A solution system had the weakest permeability compared to the other two phases. Due to the amphiphilic nature of GMO, cubic and lamellar phases might reduce the barrier function of stratum corneum which was observed by CLSM as fluorescein accumulated in the dermis. Based on the results, the glyceryl monooleate lyotropic mixtures could be applied to enhance skin permeation in various topical and transdermal formulations

Breakpoint mapping by whole genome sequencing identifies PTH2R gene disruption in a patient with midline craniosynostosis and a de novo balanced chromosomal rearrangement

Background: Craniosynostosis (CRS) is a premature closure of calvarial sutures caused by gene mutation or environmental factors or interaction between the two. Only a small proportion of non-syndromic CRS (NSC) patients have a known genetic cause, and thus, it would be meaningful to search for a causative gene disruption for the development NSC. We applied a whole genome sequencing approach on a 15-month-old boy with sagittal and metopic synostosis to identify a gene responsible for the development of the disease. Methods and results Conventional chromosome study revealed a complex paracentric inversion involving 2q14.3 and 2q34. Array comparative genomic hybridisation did not show any copy number variation. Multicolour banding analysis was carried out and the breakpoints were refined to 2q14 and 2q34. An intronic break of the PTH2R gene was detected by whole genome sequencing and fluorescence in situ hybridisation analysis confirmed disruption of PTH2R. Conclusions: We report PTH2R as a gene that is disrupted in NSC. The disruption of the PTH2R gene may cause uncontrolled proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes, which in turn results in premature closure of sutures. This addition of PTH2R to the list of genes associated with NSC expands our understanding of the development of NSC

Palatal Myoclonus Associated with Orofacial Buccal Dystonia

Palatal myoclonus is a rare condition in which there are rhythmic jerky movements of the soft palate and sometimes of the other muscles innervated by the brainstem A particularly annoying symptom is a rhythmic clicking sound in the ear due to the opening and closing of the Eustachian tube. Orofacial buccal dystonia is a focal dystonia with sustained spasms of the masticatory, facial or lingual muscles. The frequent symptoms of this disease have mainly been reported to be involuntary and possibly painful jaw opening, closing, deflecting and retruding, or a combination of the above. However, the subtle and unnoticeable involuntary movement of multiple facial muscles, which might be an infrequent symptom of orofacial buccal dystonia, makes this disease hard to diagnose. Understanding the functional orofacial anatomy that is responsible for the clinical signs and symptoms is necessary for making a proper diagnosis. Here we report on a rare case of palatal myoclonus that was associated with orofacial buccal dystonia, and such a case has not been previously reported. We describe the diagnostic approach and excellent treatment results after Botulinum toxin A (Dysport) injection and proper counseling

The Observation of Electrical Hysteric Behavior in Synthesized V 2

The anomalous electrical conductance for the V2O5 foam synthesized via a foaming process was measured. In the annealing process, the synthesized V2O5 foam is recrystallized with the increase of annealing temperature. The recrystallization procedure was characterized by using physical analysis tools such as thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and X-ray diffractometer. In the electrical analysis technique of current-voltage characteristics as a function of annealing temperature, an anomalous hysteric behavior appears at the annealing temperature of 400°C. We conclude that the recrystallization of V2O5 nanoplates results in the anomalous behavior in voltage-dependent current characteristics