Abildtrupmaclean8010

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) has been mostly associated with sun exposure, but ionizing radiation is also a known risk factor. It is not clear if the pathogenesis of BCC, namely at a genomic and epigenetic level, differs according to the underlying triggering factors.

The present study aims to compare genetic and epigenetic changes in BCCs related to ionizing radiation and chronic sun exposure.

Tumor samples from BCCs of the scalp in patients submitted to radiotherapy to treat tinea capitis in childhood and BCCs from sun-exposed areas were analysed through array comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH) and methylation-specific multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MS-MLPA) to detect copy number alterations and methylation status of specific genes.

Genomic characterization of tumor samples revealed several copy number gains and losses in all chromosomes, with the most frequent gains observed at 2p, 6p, 12p, 14q, 15q, 18q, Xp and Yp, and the most frequent losses observed at 3q, 14q, 16p, 17q, 22q, Xp, Yp and Yq. We developed a statistical model, encompassing gains in 3p and 16p and losses in 14q and 20p, with potential to discriminate BCC samples with sporadic aetiology from BCC samples that evolve after radiotherapy in childhood for the treatment of tinea capitis, which presented statistical significance (P=0.003). Few methylated genes were detected through MS-MLPA, most frequently RARB and CD44.

Our study represents a step forward in the understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of BCC and suggests potential differences according to the underlying ris k factors.

Our study represents a step forward in the understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of BCC and suggests potential differences according to the underlying ris k factors.The microbiome plays an important role in human health by mediating the path from environmental exposures to health outcomes. The relative abundances of the high-dimensional microbiome data have an unit-sum restriction, rendering standard statistical methods in the Euclidean space invalid. To address this problem, we use the isometric log-ratio transformations of the relative abundances as the mediator variables. To select significant mediators, we consider a closed testing-based selection procedure with desirable confidence. Simulations are provided to verify the effectiveness of our method. As an illustrative example, we apply the proposed method to study the mediation effects of murine gut microbiome between subtherapeutic antibiotic treatment and body weight gain, and identify Coprobacillus and Adlercreutzia as two significant mediators.

We aim to explore the safety and feasibility of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) transplantation in patients with severe and critically severe coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19).

We conducted a small sample, single arm, pilot trial. In addition to standard therapy, we performed four rounds of transplantation of UC-MSCs in sixteen patients with severe and critically severe COVID-19. We recorded adverse events from enrolment to Day 28. We evaluated the oxygenation index, inflammatory biomarkers, radiological presentations of the disease and lymphocyte subsets count on the 7th day (D7±1day), the 14th day (D14±1day) and the 28th day (D28±3days).

There were no infusion-related or allergic reactions. The oxygenation index was improved after transplantation. The mortality of enrolled patients was 6.25%, whereas the historical mortality rate was 45.4%. The level of cytokines estimated varied in the normal range, the radiological presentations (ground glass opacity) were improved and the lymphocyte count and lymphocyte subsets (CD4

T cells, CD8

T cells and NK cells) count showed recovery after transplantation.

Intravenous transplantation of UC-MSCs was safe and feasible for treatment of patients with severe and critically severe COVID-19 pneumonia.

Intravenous transplantation of UC-MSCs was safe and feasible for treatment of patients with severe and critically severe COVID-19 pneumonia.The increasing legalization of Cannabis for recreational and medicinal purposes in the United States has spurred renewed interest in the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids (CBs) for human disease. The skin has its own endocannabinoid system (eCS) which is a key regulator of various homeostatic processes, including those necessary for normal physiologic wound healing. Data on the use of CBs for wound healing are scarce. Compelling pre-clinical evidence supporting the therapeutic potential of CBs to improve wound healing by modulating key molecular pathways is herein reviewed. These findings merit further exploration in basic science, translational and clinical studies.

The presence of peripheral globules is associated with enlarging melanocytic lesions; however, there are numerous patterns of peripheral globules distribution and it remains unknown whether specific patterns can help differentiate enlarging naevi from melanoma.

To investigate whether morphological differences exist between the peripheral globules seen in different subsets of naevi and in melanoma.

A cross-sectional study of clinical notes that mentioned peripheral globules, in addition to all melanoma images with peripheral globules on the International Skin Imaging Collaboration archive. click here Dermoscopic images were reviewed and annotated. Associations between diagnosis and categorical features were measured with odds ratios. Non-parametric tests were used for continuous factors.

184 lesions with peripheral globules from our clinic were included in the analysis; only 6 of these proved to be melanoma. 109 melanomas with peripheral globules from the International Skin Imaging Collaboration archive were added to the analysis. Melanomas were more common on the extremities and among older individuals. Melanomas were more likely to display atypical, tiered and/or focal peripheral globules. Only 5% of melanomas lacked dermoscopic melanoma-specific structures compared to 48% of naevi.

Melanocytic lesions with atypical or asymmetrically distributed peripheral globules, especially when located on the extremities, should raise suspicion for malignancy. Melanocytic lesions with typical and symmetrically distributed peripheral globules, and with no other concerning dermoscopic features, are unlikely to be malignant.

Melanocytic lesions with atypical or asymmetrically distributed peripheral globules, especially when located on the extremities, should raise suspicion for malignancy. Melanocytic lesions with typical and symmetrically distributed peripheral globules, and with no other concerning dermoscopic features, are unlikely to be malignant.