Does the Autophagy Related Gene 7 (ATG7) Have a Role in Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer?

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of autophagy related gene 7 (ATG7) in non-melanoma skin cancer. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This retrospective and prospective case-control study was performed on 104 patients with non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in addition to 20 apparently healthy subjects matched for age and sex as a control group. Multiple skin biopsies were taken for immunohistochemical evaluation of ATG7 expression. RESULTS: Both epithelial and stromal ATG7 were expressed in all participants while all patients showed nucleocytoplasmic localization and controls showed both cytoplasmic and nucleocytoplasmic expression. In addition, significantly higher H-scores of ATG7 in both epithelium and stroma were detected in patients compared to controls (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: ATG7 nucleocytoplasmic topographic localization might be involved in the pathogenesis of NMSC, which can open the gate for new target therapy for this skin cancer.

Role of Janus kinase 1 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 in vitiligo.

BACKGROUND: Vitiligo is an acquired autoimmune skin disorder. The often-visible lesions of vitiligo have a major impact on patients' quality of life and the results of the treatment regimens on offer are unsatisfactory, so there is a need for new therapeutic regimens. Recent advances in vitiligo pathogenesis have led to recognition of the importance of the JAK-STAT pathway as an attractive therapeutic option. PURPOSE: To evaluate role of JAK1 and STAT3 in vitiligo. METHODS: This prospective case-control study was carried out on 35 patients presenting with vitiligo and 20 apparently healthy age- and sex-matched volunteers. Skin biopsies from controls and cases were taken for histopathological and immunohistochemical JAK1 and STAT3 evaluation. RESULTS: Epidermal and dermal overexpression of STAT3 was noted in lesional skin compared to the other groups (P=0.02 and P<0.001, respectively). There was a positive correlation between dermal expression of JAK1 and dermal expression of STAT3 (r=0.52, P=0.004). CONCLUSION: In conjunction, JAK1 and STAT3 might be involved in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. This could open the gate for the use of JAK1 and STAT3 inhibitors as new targeted therapy for vitiligo.

Label-free DNA sensing using millimeter-wave silicon WGM resonator.

A planar dielectric waveguide based structure for bio-sensing purpose is introduced. The proposed device is a silicon-based WGM disc resonator operating within the range of 75-110 GHz (W-band). The sensor is an integrated, miniaturized, low-cost, and easy-to-fabricate bio-sensor structure. The proposed sensor can be used for a number of DNA characterization tasks including Mutation in DNA oligonucleotide. Two types of DNAs, single strand and double strand DNAs, are successfully tested by our integrated sensor. The measurement repeatability and selectivity of the proposed sensor are examined through the different experimental lab-tests.