Identification of ESM1 as a Potential Biomarker Involving Drug Sensitivity and the Tumor Immune Microenvironment that Promotes Proliferation of Melanoma.

ESM1 may play a role in human cancers, but its role in melanoma remains unclear. This study investigated ESM1 expression in Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases and confirmed it through immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blotting (WB). Using the ESM1 gene expression levels, we divided TCGA samples into high and low-expression groups and identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between them. We then performed GO and KEGG enrichment analyses on these DEGs and explored the immune landscape while identifying anti-tumor drugs. ESM1 was found to be highly expressed in metastatic melanoma compared to primary melanoma and normal tissues. This was associated with increased numbers of immune-related cells and genes, as well as the activation of tumor progression pathways such as Notch and Wnt. In the high ESM1 expression group, the number of multiple immune-related cells and the expression of immune-related genes correlated with the presentation of ESM1, as well as the agonism of pathways related to tumor progressions. Immunohistochemistry and WB demonstrated a significant increase in ESM1 expression in metastatic lesions. Multiple GEO datasets showed higher ESM1 mRNA expression in malignant melanoma than in other benign tumors. ESM1 knockdown in a mouse model reduced tumor volume and weight related to the Wnt/-catenin and NOTCH signaling pathways. So, ESM1 is a promising biomarker for drug sensitivity, the tumor immune microenvironment, and the proliferation of cutaneous melanoma.

The first case of cutaneous phaeohyphomycosis caused by Bipolaris spicifera in Northern China: A case report.

Phaeohyphomycosis (PHM) is a term used to describe any fungus presenting in tissues with pseudohyphae, hyphae, brown yeast-like cells or a combination of these forms. Sinusitis and skin infections are the most common presentation of subcutaneous PHM caused by the fungus Bipolaris spicifera. However, the majority of cases have so far been encountered in tropical climatic zones. The present study documents a case of subcutaneous PHM caused by infection with Bipolaris spicifera in a 56-year-old Chinese man, who presented with plaque papillomatosis on the left foot. The organism isolated from the lesion scar and tissue was identified as Bipolaris spicifera by its morphology, histopathology and DNA sequencing. The patient was successfully treated with itraconazole and terbinafine.

Effect of cyclophosphamide on fungal infection in SLE mice detected by fluorescent quantitative PCR.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of the cyclophosphamide (CTX) on systemic lupus erythematosus mice by fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction. METHODS: (BALB/c × C57BL/J6) F1 hybrid mice were used as recipients of donor lymphocytes which were injected intravenously. Mice were randomly divided into control group and treatment group, serum autoantibody and urinary protein were measured, renal pathological changes and the situation of fungal infection were observed. RESULTS: The reduced urinary protein, ameliorated renal lesions were found in the CTX-treated mice. Candida albicans and Aspergillus flavus were detected respectively in respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract. CONCLUSIONS: CTX can alleviate lupus nephritis and the fluorescent quantitative PCR is a rapid and sensitive method for the detection of fungal infection.