Comparison of PTCH1, COX-2, p53, and Ki-67 protein expression in basal cell carcinomas of nodular and superficial subtypes arising on the head and trunk.

BACKGROUND: There is some evidence that basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) arising on different anatomic sites and developing to different histological subtypes differ in their pathophysiology. The expression of a number of proteins, including PTCH1, COX-2, p53, and Ki-67, is frequently altered in BCC development. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine whether protein expression differs between BCCs at different anatomic sites and of different histological subtypes. METHODS: Expression of PTCH1, COX-2, p53, and Ki-67 proteins was compared between: (i) BCCs arising on the head (n = 55) and trunk (n = 53), and (ii) nodular (n = 52) and superficial (n = 43) BCCs. The intensity of immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining (low, moderate, strong, very strong) for PTCH1 and COX-2 proteins was measured and the proportions of p53- and Ki-67-positive cells quantified. RESULTS: The proportion of cells expressing Ki-67 was higher in tumor tissue than in non-malignant epidermis, whereas the opposite was found for PTCH1. The IHC staining intensity for PTCH1 was substantially greater in truncal BCCs than in BCCs on the head (odds ratio [OR] 3.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.63-8.96). The intensity of staining for PTCH1 was greater for superficial than for nodular BCCs (OR 3.70, 95% CI 1.53-8.97), and superficial BCCs showed a higher proportion of Ki-67-positive cells (OR 5.57, 95% CI 1.66-18.67). CONCLUSIONS: These differences suggest that the pathophysiology of BCC differs between lesions on the head and trunk and between nodular and superficial subtypes, perhaps indicating differences in their etiology.

Basal cell carcinomas on sun-protected vs. sun-exposed body sites: a comparison of phenotypic and environmental risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in White populations. There are indications that risk factors for BCC may differ according to the anatomic site of the tumour but this is not well understood. PURPOSE: To compare phenotypic and environmental risk factors for BCCs arising on sun-protected sites with that of those on sun-exposed sites. METHODS: We conducted a case-case study in which people who had been diagnosed with incident BCC were recruited between February 2012 and September 2013 in Brisbane, Australia. RESULTS: Fair skin (OR: 4.50; 95% CI: 1.22, 16.59), having more than 15 lesions frozen/burnt off compared to less than 5 (OR: 5.68; 95% CI: 1.78, 18.08) and severe acne (OR: 5.25; 95% CI: 1.34, 20.56) were associated with increased risk of BCC on sun-protected sites. The presence of more than 5 nevi on the body was associated with decreased risk (OR: 0.28; 95% CI: 0.11, 0.71). CONCLUSIONS: BCCs on sun-protected sites arise as a result of excessive sun exposure, most likely combined with phenotypic susceptibility. The strong negative association with nevi also suggests that there are constitutional factors that underlie the propensity for BCCs to arise on these body sites.

Chronic Osteomyelitis in the Femoral Midshaft Following Arthroscopic ACL Reconstruction.

A 25 year-old man presented with pain, swelling, and intermittent drainage from distal lateral aspect of his left knee three months after undergoing isolated ACL reconstruction with arthroscopic hamstring autograft and endobottom technique. His surgeon at that time tried to eliminate the pathology through arthroscopic wash out in two attempts. However, the pain, edema, and discharge recurred after a year of being symptom free. The patient underwent imaging assessment and anteroposterior and lateral radiographs demonstrated a sclerotic area beneath the femoral condoyle in femoral tunnel and a fusiform sclerotic area in the lateral aspect of femoral midshaft. Magnetic Resonance Imaging revealed necrotic tissue with bone edema consistent with the sclerotic area in radiographs indicating micro abscesses and osteomyelitis. A diagnosis of femoral chronic osteomyelitis was made and the patient underwent arthroscopic drainage and washout, followed by open surgery for diaphysial femoral osteomyelitis. Rehabilitation was started and after six months the patient returned to his work.

Cutaneous markers of photo-damage and risk of Basal cell carcinoma of the skin: a meta-analysis.

Epidemiologic research has shown that cutaneous markers of photo-damage are associated with risk of basal cell carcinoma (BCC). However, there has been no previous attempt to calculate pooled risk estimates. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis after extracting relevant studies published up to January 2013 from five electronic databases. Eligible studies were those that permitted quantitative assessment of the association between histologically confirmed BCC and actinic keratoses, solar elastosis, solar lentigines, or telangiectasia. Seven eligible studies were identified and summary odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using both random and quality effects models. Having more than ten actinic keratoses was most strongly associated with BCC, conferring up to a fivefold increase in risk (OR: 4.97; 95% CI: 3.26-7.58). Other factors, including solar elastosis, solar lentigines, and telangiectasia had weaker but positive associations with BCC with ORs around 1.5. Markers of chronic photo-damage are positively associated with BCC. The presence of actinic keratoses was the most strongly associated with BCC of the markers examined. This work highlights the relatively modest association between markers of chronic ultraviolet exposure and BCC.

A meta-analysis of pigmentary characteristics, sun sensitivity, freckling and melanocytic nevi and risk of basal cell carcinoma of the skin.

OBJECTIVE: To calculate pooled risk estimates of the association between pigmentary characteristics and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the skin. METHODS: We searched three electronic databases and reviewed the reference lists of the retrieved articles until July 2012 to identify eligible epidemiologic studies. Eligible studies were those published in between 1965 and July 2012 that permitted quantitative assessment of the association between histologically-confirmed BCC and any of the following characteristics: hair colour, eye colour, skin colour, skin phototype, tanning and burning ability, and presence of freckling or melanocytic nevi. We included 29 studies from 2236 initially identified. We calculated summary odds ratios (ORs) using weighted averages of the log OR, using random effects models. RESULTS: We found strongest associations with red hair (OR 2.02; 95% CI: 1.68, 2.44), fair skin colour (OR 2.11; 95% CI: 1.56, 2.86), and having skin that burns and never tans (OR 2.03; 95% CI: 1.73, 2.38). All other factors had weaker but positive associations with BCC, with the exception of freckling of the face in adulthood which showed no association. CONCLUSIONS: Although most studies report risk estimates that are in the same direction, there is significant heterogeneity in the size of the estimates. The associations were quite modest and remarkably similar, with ORs between about 1.5 and 2.5 for the highest risk level for each factor. Given the public health impact of BCC, this meta-analysis will make a valuable contribution to our understanding of BCC.

Energy budget for the cultured, zooxanthellate octocoral Sinularia flexibilis.

The zooxanthellate octocoral Sinularia flexibilis is a producer of potential pharmaceutically important metabolites such as antimicrobial and cytotoxic substances. Controlled rearing of the coral, as an alternative for commercial exploitation of these compounds, requires the study of species-specific growth requirements. In this study, phototrophic vs. heterotrophic daily energy demands of S. flexibilis was investigated through light and Artemia feeding trials in the laboratory. Rate of photosynthetic oxygen by zooxanthellae in light (≈200 µmol quanta m⁻² s⁻¹) was measured for the coral colonies with and without feeding on Artemia nauplii. Respiratory oxygen was measured in the dark, again with and without Artemia nauplii. Photosynthesis-irradiance curve at light intensities of 0, 50, 100, 200, and 400 µmol quanta m⁻² s⁻¹ showed an increase in photosynthetic oxygen production up to a light intensity between 100 and 200 µmol quanta m⁻² s⁻¹. The photosynthesis to respiration ratio (P/R > 1) confirmed phototrophy of S. flexibilis. Both fed and non-fed colonies in the light showed high carbon contribution by zooxanthellae to animal (host) respiration values of 111-127%. Carbon energy equivalents allocated to the coral growth averaged 6-12% of total photosynthesis energy (mg C g⁻¹ buoyant weight day⁻¹ and about 0.02% of the total daily radiant energy. "Light utilization efficiency (ε)" estimated an average ε value of 75% 12 h⁻¹ for coral practical energetics. This study shows that besides a fundamental role of phototrophy vs. heterotrophy in daily energy budget of S. flexibilis, an efficient fraction of irradiance is converted to useable energy.

Light-dependency of growth and secondary metabolite production in the captive zooxanthellate soft coral Sinularia flexibilis.

The branching zooxanthellate soft coral Sinularia flexibillis releases antimicrobial and toxic compounds with potential pharmaceutical importance. As photosynthesis by the symbiotic algae is vital to the host, the light-dependency of the coral, including its specific growth rate (micro day(-1)) and the physiological response to a range of light intensities (10-1,000 micromol quanta m(-2) s(-1)) was studied for 12 weeks. Although a range of irradiances from 100 to 400 micromol quanta m(-2) s(-1) was favorable for S. flexibilis, based on chlorophyll content, a light intensity around 100 micromol quanta m(-2) s(-1) was found to be optimal. The contents of both zooxanthellae and chlorophyll a were highest at 100 micromol quanta m(-2) s(-1). The specific budding rate showed almost the same pattern as the specific growth rate. The concentration of the terpene flexibilide, produced by this species, increased at high light intensities (200-600 micromol quanta m(-2) s(-1)).

Cell cultures from the symbiotic soft coral Sinularia flexibilis.

The symbiotic octocoral Sinularia flexibilis is a producer of potential pharmaceuticals. Sustainable mass production of these corals as a source of such compounds demands innovative approaches, including coral cell culture. We studied various cell dissociation methodologies and the feasibility of cultivation of S. flexibilis cells on different media and cell dissociation methodologies. Mechanical dissociation of coral tissue always yielded the highest number of cells and allowed subsequent cellular growth in all treatments. The best results from chemical dissociation reagents were found with trypsin-ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid. Coral cells obtained from spontaneous dissociation did not grow. Light intensity was found to be important for coral cell culture showing an enduring symbiosis between the cultured cells and their intracellular algae. The Grace's insect medium and Grace's modified insect medium were found to be superior substrates. To confirm the similarity of the cultured cells and those in the coral tissue, a molecular test with Internal Transcribed Spacer primers was performed. Thereby, the presence of similar cells of both the coral cells and zooxanthella in different culture media was confirmed.