Explore the vast range of titles available.

Beta-glucans, which existed in the cell walls of cereals, bacteria, and fungi, comprise a group of β- d -glucose polysaccharides. We investigated the effects of four kinds of beta-glucan, that are derived from barley, yeast, mushroom, and euglena on wound healing. The migration and viability of keratinocyte or fibroblast were analyzed using the in vitro scratch wound healing assay, invasion assay, MTT assay, and in vivo assay. All the beta-glucans had a significant effect on keratinocyte migration at 20 μM and showed no toxicity on dermal fibroblast. Moreover, treatment of keratinocytes with the beta-glucan derived from the mushroom ( Schizophyllum commune ) promoted in vivo wound closure. The Integrin/FAK/Src pathway is known to affect cell migration by forming lamellipodia. Beta-glucan from S. commune activates the Integrin/FAK/Src signaling pathway in a time-dependent. Reactive oxygen species are associated with fibroblast differentiation to contract dermal layer and synthesize collagens. We found that fibroblast was activated by increasing NOX4 expression. We propose that beta-glucan derived from mushroom is capable of promoting keratinocyte migration via the induction of FAK/Src phosphorylation there by accelerating wound closure and activating dermal fibroblast differentiation through NADPH oxidase for matrix remodeling.

Keratinocyte-fibroblast interactions are critical for skin repair after injury. During the proliferative phase of wound healing, proliferation, migration and differentiation of these cells are the major mechanisms leading to tissue remodeling. We have previously reported that glycitin, a major soy isoflavone, stimulates dermal fibroblast proliferation; and the phytochemical, 4′,6,7-trimethoxyisoflavone (TMF), induces migration of HaCaT keratinocyte cells. We therefore investigated whether these compounds display synergistic effects on skin cells during wound healing in vitro and in vivo. Co-treatment with TMF and glycitin synergistically promotes the proliferation and migration of both keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts, with a 1:1 ratio of these compounds showing the greatest efficacy in our co-culture system. This keratinocyte-fibroblast interaction occurred via the secretion of TGF-β, and the induction of differentiation and proliferation was confirmed in both indirect and direct co-culture assays. In an excisional and burn wound animal model, mice treated with a 1:1 ratio of TMF and glycitin showed faster wound closure, regeneration and scar reduction than even the positive control drug. These data indicate that two isoflavones, TMF and glycitin, act synergistically to promote wound healing and anti-scarring and could potentially be developed together as a bioactive therapeutic for wound treatment. KCI Citation Count: 39

Aurora kinase A (AURKA), or STK15/BTAK, is a member of the serine/threonine kinase family and plays important roles in mitosis and chromosome stability. This study investigated the clinical significance of AURKA expression in colorectal cancer patients in Korea. AURKA protein expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 151 patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma using tissue microarray blocks. We analyzed the relationship between clinicopathological characteristics and AURKA expression. In addition, the prognostic significance of various clinicopathological data for progression-free survival (PFS) was assessed. Also we evaluated copy number variations by array comparative genomic hybridization and gene amplification using fluorescence hybridization in colorectal carcinoma tissues. gene amplification was found more frequently in the 20q13.2-13.33 gain-positive group than the group with no significant gain on the -containing locus. AURKA protein expression was detected in 45% of the cases (68/151). Positive staining for AURKA was observed more often in male patients (p = .035) and distally located tumors (p = .021). PFS was shorter in patients with AURKA expression compared to those with low-level AURKA expression (p < .001). Univariate analysis revealed that AURKA expression (p = .001), age (p = .034), lymphatic invasion (p = .001), perineural invasion (p = .002), and TNM stage (p = .013) significantly affected PFS. In a multivariate analysis of PFS, a Cox proportional hazard model confirmed that AURKA expression was an independent and significant prognostic factor in colorectal adenocarcinoma (hazard ratio, 3.944; p < .001). AURKA could serve as an independent factor to predict a poor prognosis in Korean colorectal adenocarcinoma patients.

Nodular mucinosis of the breast is predominantly found in young women ranging from 15 to 72 years.2\"6 The typical clinical manifestation is a soft mass under the nipple or in the subareolar region that gradually increases in size, and occasionally presents with nipple discharge or pain.2'6 Ultrasonography usually reveals a well-circumscribed, lobulated, homogeCorresponding nous, hypoechoic mass and mammography shows a roundlobular, radiopaque mass without microcalcifications or spicula formation.2'5 Fine needle aspiration typically reveals mucin without epithelial elements or malignant evidence.2,4,5 The treatment of choice is surgical excision, which usually leads to a successful outcome without residual disease.Nodular mucinosis of the breast does not have an established link with Carney complex,5 which is an autosomal dominant syndrome characterized by multiple neoplasias, including myxomas at various sites, endocrine tumors, and lentigenosis related to genetic defects.8 Grossly, the lesion is usually a small, ovoid protruding nodule, ranging from 0.9 to 3.2 cm in diameter.2'6 The cut surface demonstrates a well-circumscribed but not encapsulated, multinodular lesion that is grayish-white, grayish-pink, or yellow-to-tan in color2'6 and has a myxoid, mucinous or gelatinous consistency.3'6 The histological features of nodular mucinosis of the breast include a multinodular myxoid or mucinous lesion separated by fibrocollagenous stroma.2\"6 The lesion consists of sparse spindle cells, which have bland and elongated nuclei, scant and/or pale cytoplasm, and indistinct cell boarders.2,4,5 Rarely histiocytes, lymphocytes, plasma cells, and/or mast cells can be seen within and around the nodules,2'6 and some capillaries or small vessels are seen within the lesions.3,5,6 The lesion neither contains nor invades the breast parenchyma.2\"4,6 Also, no epithelial components can be identified.2'6 Myxoid or mucinous areas are stained intensely with Alcian blue and Hale colloidal iron, but are negative on PAS, proving the existence of acid mucopolysaccharide.2'6 The spindle cells are positive for calponin, vimentin, and smooth muscle actin and negative for cytokeratin, smooth muscle myosin, and S-100, probably arising from myofibroblasts.2\"5 Clinicians need to be able to differentiate nodular mucinosis of the breast from other myxoid and mucinous lesions such as mucinous carcinoma, micropapillary carcinoma in situ with excessive mucin, fibroadenoma with myxomatous stroma and mucocelelike lesions.2'5 Nodular mucinosis exhibits mucin with no epithelial elements or malignant evidence on fine needle aspiration.2,4,5 The presence of an epithelial cell component in the mucin suggests other myxoid and mucinous lesions.4,7 In addition, cytologi - cally mucocele-like lesions are characterized by abundant mucin and monolayer clusters or sheets of epithelial cells without nuclear atypia and is usually associated with microcalcifications, which is a feature not typical of nodular mucinosis.4 Mucin in mucocele-like lesions is usually stained with PAS but appears negative on Alcian blue and Hale colloidal iron staining.4,7 Considering that nodular mucinosis has no epithelial components in acidic mucin pools, differentiation is not a major challenge, so long as spindle cells are not mistaken for epithelial cells.Author Chang lim Hyun, MD, PhD Department of Pathology, Jeju National University School of Medicine, 15 Aran 13-gil, Jeju 63241, Korea Tel: +82-64-754-8818, Fax: -+82-64-717-1131, E-mail: venisua@jejunu.ac.kr Received: May 27,2016 Revised: July 20,2016 Accepted: July 25,2016 REFERENCES 1.

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the main extra cellular matrix-producing cells in the liver. Several reports have indicated that activated HSCs are involved in hepatic carcinogenesis by way of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) secretion. This study aimed to investigate the effects of TGF-β, derived from HSCs activated by the chronic hepatitis B virus x protein (HBx), on the transdifferentiation of hepatocytes into hepatocarcinoma cells. Normal hepatocytes (the Chang liver cell line) were treated with a low concentration of TGF-β for 2 weeks, after which cell cycle- and cell signaling- related protein expression was analyzed. Lon-term treatment of TGF-β clearly induced the proliferation and the expression of cancer signaling proteins in the Chang cell line. TGF-β treatment also increased the expression of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and c-Myc, indicating that induction of the JNK/pSmad3/c-Myc oncogenic signaling pathway is involved in hepatocyte transformation. Similar results were observed after culturing Chang cells with conditioned media derived from the activated LX-2 hepatic stellate cell line, suggesting that TGF-β paracrine effects are involved in the transformation of hepatocyte cells into hepatocarcinoma cells. Immunohistochemical results showed that the livers from HBx transgenic mice were composed of more activated HSCs and produced more TGF-β compared with those from normal mice. The TGF-β secreted from HBx-infected HSCs might induce transdifferentiation of hepatocytes into hepatocarcinoma, which is the fact that suggested a potential knowledge on liver cancer inhibition.

Paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare malignancy arising from the mesenchymal tissues of the spermatic cord, epididymis, testis, and testicular tunica, and accounts for approximately 7% of all rhabdomyosarcomas. It often occurs in children but is known to have a better prognosis than disease at other urogenital sites. Patients typically present with painless unilateral scrotal swelling like a solid testicular tumor. However, we report an unusual case of delayed diagnosis of paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma accompanied by epididymitis manifesting an painful scrotal swelling.