Epithelial to mesenchymal transition and microRNA expression are associated with spindle and apocrine cell morphology in triple-negative breast cancer.

Triple negative breast cancers (TNBC) are a morphologically and genetically heterogeneous group of breast cancers with uncertain prediction of biological behavior and response to therapy. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a dynamic process characterized by loss of typical epithelial phenotype and acquisition of mesenchymal characteristics. Aberrant activation of EMT can aggravate the prognosis of patients with cancer, however, the mechanisms of EMT and role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in EMT activation is still unclear. The aim of our study was to analyze miRNA expression within areas of TNBCs with cellular morphology that may be related to the EMT process and discuss possible associations. Out of all 3953 re-examined breast cancers, 460 breast cancers were diagnosed as TNBC (11.64%). With regard to complete tumor morphology preservation, the tissue samples obtained from core-cut biopsies and influenced by previous neoadjuvant therapy were excluded. We assembled a set of selected 25 cases to determine miRNA expression levels in relation to present focal spindle cell and apocrine cell morphology within individual TNBCs. We used descriptive (histological typing and morphology), morphometric, molecular (microdissection of tumor and non-tumor morphologies, RNA isolation and purification, microchip analysis) and bioinformatic analysis (including pathway analysis). The results were verified by quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) on an extended set of 70 TNBCs. The majority of TNBCs were represented by high-grade invasive carcinomas of no special type (NST) with medullary features characterized by well-circumscribed tumors with central necrosis or fibrosis and frequent tendency to spindle-cell and/or apocrine cell transformation. Apocrine and spindle cell transformation showed a specific miRNA expression profile in comparison to other tumor parts, in situ carcinoma or non-tumor structures, particularly down-regulated expression of hsa-miRNA-143-3p and hsa-miRNA-205-5p and up-regulated expression of hsa-miR-22-3p, hsa-miRNA-185-5p, and hsa-miR-4443. Apocrine cell tumor morphology further revealed decreased expression of hsa-miR-145-5p and increased expression of additional 14 miRNAs (e.g. hsa-miR-182-5p, hsa-miR-3135b and hsa-miR-4417). Pathway analysis for target genes of these miRNAs revealed several shared biological processes (i.e. Wnt signaling, ErbB signaling, MAPK signaling, endocytosis and axon guidance), which may in part contribute to the EMT and tumor progression. We provide the first miRNA expression profiling of specific tissue morphologies in TNBC. Our results demonstrate a specific miRNA expression profile of apocrine and spindle cell morphology which can exhibit a certain similarity with the EMT process and may also be relevant for prognosis and therapy resistance of TNBC.

Bacterial Colonization in Hidradenitis Suppurativa/Acne Inversa: A Cross-sectional Study of 50 Patients and Review of the Literature.

It is unclear whether bacterial colonization in hidradenitis suppurativa/acne inversa (HS) comprises a primary cause, triggering factor or secondary phenomenon of the disease pathogenesis. Furthermore, the connection between certain bacterial species, the disease severity and its localization is unknown. Bacterial species were isolated from HS lesions to reveal a potential correlation with localization and disease severity. Ninety swab tests were prospectively obtained from 90 HS lesions of 50 consecutive patients. The material was cultured under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The identified species were statistically correlated with Hurley stage and localization of the lesions. The most prevalent isolates were reported. Hurley stage significantly correlated with disease localization. Particular bacterial species were associated with "extended" disease and Hurley III stage with the detection of both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and with a higher number of species. The presence of bacterial species is dependent on the local milieu, which correlates with the localization of the disease, its clinical manifestations and its extension.

Functional characterisation of a SNP in the ABCC11 allele - effects on axillary skin metabolism, odour generation and associated behaviours.

BACKGROUND: A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), 538G→A, leading to a G180R substitution in the ABCC11 gene results in reduced concentrations of apocrine derived axillary odour precursors. OBJECTIVE: Determine the axillary odour levels in the SNP ABCC11 genotype variants and to investigate if other parameters associated with odour production are affected. METHODS: Axillary odour was assessed by subjective quantification and gas chromatography headspace analysis. Metabolite profiles, microbiome diversity and personal hygiene habits were also assessed. RESULTS: Axillary odour in the A/A homozygotes was significantly lower compared to the G/A and G/G genotypes. However, the perception-based measures still detected appreciable levels of axillary odour in the A/A subjects. Metabolomic analysis highlighted significant differences in axillary skin metabolites between A/A subjects compared to those carrying the G allele. These differences resulted in A/A subjects lacking specific volatile odourants in the axillary headspace, but all genotypes produced odoriferous short chain fatty acids. Microbiomic analysis revealed differences in the relative abundance of key bacterial genera associated with odour generation between the different genotypes. Deodorant usage indicated a high level of self awareness of axillary odour levels with A/A individuals less likely to adopt personal hygiene habits designed to eradicate/mask its presence. CONCLUSIONS: The SNP in the ABCC11 gene results in lower levels of axillary odour in the A/A homozygotes compared to those carrying the G allele, but A/A subjects still produce noticeable amounts of axillary odour. Differences in axillary skin metabolites, bacterial genera and personal hygiene behaviours also appear to be influenced by this SNP.

Sialic acids and antimicrobial substances in the apocrine glands of porcine perianal skin.

The porcine perianal skin shows prominent apocrine glands with large saccular dilatations, whereby the functional significance of the glandular secretions is rather unexplained. Our study focuses on the demonstration of sialoglycoconjugates and antimicrobial substances in these glands, using glycoconjugate histochemical and immunohistochemical methods. The result obtained emphasized the general presence of sialic acids, linked to α2-6Gal/GalNAc and α2-3Gaßl1-4GlcNAc, in the secretory cells. The secretory epithelium and luminal secretions also contained a spectrum of antimicrobial substances, such as lysozyme, IgA, lactoferrin, and the peptide group of ß-defensins. Realizing that sialic acids possess diverging functional properties through various saccharide residues, and that antimicrobial substances serve as a non-specific defense against microorganisms, these secretory products may function as protective agents in order to preserve the integrity of the perianal region. This view includes that the amounts of bacteria on the skin surface are controlled and maintained at the certain level.

Bromhidrosis induced by sphingomonas paucimobilis: a case report.

Bromhidrosis is a clinical disorder characterized by excessive or abnormal foul axillary odour due to the interaction of apocrine glands with micro-organisms which causes a serious personal and social handicap for affected people. We present the case of a 50-year-old caucasian female with bromhidrosis. The patient referred that this symptom had begun two months previously. Her past treatments included antibacterial soap, topical antibacterial agents and perfumes, but none of these relieved the patient of the odour. A cultural examination of axillary smear was carried out and it revealed the presence of ciprofloxacin sensible Sphingomonas paucimobilis. Therefore the patient was treated with ciprofloxacin and after 1 week the infection resolved completely.

Tumescent superficial liposuction with curettage for treatment of axillary bromhidrosis.

BACKGROUND: Axillary bromhidrosis is a common but unpleasant and distressing problem faced by many societies, particularly in Asia, where malodour is reflected as a social handicap. Currently, local surgery is the treatment of choice among various non-surgical and surgical treatment. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of tumescent superficial liposuction and curettage in treating axillary bromhidrosis. METHODS: Forty-three patients (25 females and 18 males, average age 24.5 years) have undergone tumescent superficial liposuction and curettage. Local anaesthesia, tumescent solution, was injected into the hair-bearing area of the axilla. Two tiny incisions were made for Fatemi cannule, and subcutaneous tissue was removed by stroke movement under negative pressure. Subsequently, additional curettage was done around the incision sites. We evaluated the clinical efficacy (excellent, good, fair and poor) and complications. In addition, preoperative and postoperative histologic findings were reviewed in 15 patients. RESULTS: The follow-up evaluation started 3 months after the surgery, and mean follow-up period was 15.8 months, ranging from 3 to 54 months. Among 43 patients, 31 patients (72.1%) showed excellent to good results. The most common postoperative complication was transient ecchymosis which spontaneously regressed in 1 to 2 weeks. Focal skin necrosis, induration, and haematoma or seroma were each noted in four, three, and one patients, respectively, but resolved after proper dressing. The preoperative histological findings included increase in size and number of apocrine glands in cross-section view, and the postoperative specimen evidently showed removal of subcutaneous tissue, including apocrine and eccrine glands, and remnant sweat glands were severely destructed. CONCLUSION: Tumescent superficial liposuction with curettage for axillary bromhidrosis is an effective and safe treatment method for axillary bromhidrosis.

Immunohistochemical study of lysozyme in human apocrine glands.

The localization of lysozyme in human apocrine glands was studied by adopting the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method. The results showed that the glands were enriched with lysozyme. The apical portion of secretory cells was most heavily stained. Eccrine glands did not stain for lysozyme. Although apocrine glands have been regarded as having no apparent function in man, it is suggested in the present report that they may have an excretory bactericidal role.

Acid fast bodies in eccrine and apocrine sweat glands.

Small bodies resembling bacilli which stain with acid fast techniques are observed in the secretory cells of eccrine and apocrine sweat glands. The presence of these acid fast bodies is not well known and their observation could be mistaken for infection with acid fast bacilli.