BACKGROUND:The Xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group C protein (XPC) is a general sensor of damaged DNA. Individuals carrying a mutation in XPC genes exhibit marked photosensitivity and increased occurrence of skin cancers. Little is known about the distribution of XPC protein in basal cell carcinoma (BCC).AIM:To determine whether the XPC protein is associated with basal cell carcinoma.MATERIALS AND METHODS:In the present study, we investigated the protein expression of XPC by immunohistochemistry in 86 cases of BCC and paired-adjacent normal epidermis.RESULTS:The intensity of nuclear XPC expression was significantly higher in BCC compared to adjacent normal epidermis (p<0.001). Attenuated XPC expression was associated with high-risk BCC (p=0.045) but was not significantly associated with age, gender and body area.CONCLUSION:Our results indicate that XPC is associated with BCC and further studies are warranted to determine if the XPC-BCC interaction is specific to just one cancer cell type and to investigate potential mechanisms.

Mice were fed low-fibre, or that supplemented with soluble fibre (konjac glucomannan, KGM; inulin), or insoluble fibre (cellulose) to determine how these three fibres modulated the acute colonic responses to an azoxymethane (AOM) treatment. Results indicated that KGM and inulin exerted greater anti-genotoxic effects compared to cellulose and up-regulated the gene expressions of glutathione S-transferase and antioxidant enzymes. The apoptotic index in the distal colon was the greatest and the expression of Bcl-2 was the lowest in the KGM group 24h after the AOM treatment. On the other hand, the proliferative index and expression of Cyclin D1 were lower in all fibre groups. Furthermore, KGM increased cecal short-chain fatty acid contents, and both KGM and inulin increased fecal probiotic concentrations. This study suggested that soluble fibres were more effective than cellulose on ameliorating AOM-induced genotoxicity by up-regulating antioxidant enzyme genes, and enhancing epithelium apoptosis by down-regulating Bcl-2.

Our recent studies indicated that electrodialysed deep-sea water (ED-DSW) revealed the cardiovascular health effects, such as hindrances of the dietary-induced evaluation of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and nonhigh-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), as well as improvement of HDL-C/non-HDL-C ratio and blood pressure. In the current study, we further revealed the beneficial effects of ED-DSW on high-cholesterol dietary mice by reducing abnormal cardiac architecture, apoptosis and enhancing insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) cardiac survival signaling compared with those mice that were treated with distilled water, reverse osmosis (RO)-DSW or 10% (v/v) dilution with ddH2O (10% DSW). These findings further clarified the possible mechanisms of cardiac protective effects of ED-DSW and might suggest ED-DSW as an ingredient of cardiovascular health food in some niche markets.

Human parvovirus B19 (B19) infection has been postulated to both myocardial injury and development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, the influence of anti-B19-VP1u antibodies on cardiac disorders in SLE is still obscure. To elucidate the effects of anti-B19-VP1u IgG in SLE, passive transfer of PBS, normal rabbit IgG or rabbit anti-B19-VP1u IgG was injected intravenously into NZB/W F1 mice, respectively. Significant expression of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were detected in NZB/W F1 mice receiving rabbit anti-B19-VP1u IgG. Markedly cardiomyocyte disarray and lymphocyte infiltration were observed in left ventricle of hearts from NZB/W F1 mice receiving rabbit anti-B19-VP1u IgG. Additionally, significant increases of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) activity and protein expression were detected in left ventricle of hearts from NZB/W F1 mice receiving B19-VP1u IgG. Accordingly, significant increase of phosphorylated p-38 and NF-κB proteins were observed in left ventricle of hearts from NZB/W F1 mice receiving B19-VP1u IgG. However, no significant variation of cardiac atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (h-FABP) and creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) were detected among all experimental groups. These findings firstly demonstrated the aggravated effects of anti-B19 VP1u IgG on cardiac injury by induction of inflammatory but not myocardial infarction-associated proteins through activation of phosphorylated p-38 and NF-κB signaling.

Some remnants of thymic tissue may be deposited along the pathway of the descent of the neck during embryologic development of the thymus. Ectopic thymic tissue is usually deposited along the pathway from the mandibular angle to the manubrium of the sternum. Most reported cases of an ectopic thymus occurred in children, and cases are less common in adults. We report a 26-year-old woman, who was incidentally found to have 2 neck nodules on the posterior side of the bilateral upper pole of the thyroid gland while undergoing a subtotal thyroidectomy. The left-side neck nodule showed accessory thyroid follicles intermixed with ectopic thymic tissue, and the right-side neck nodule was ectopic parathyroid tissue together with ectopic thymic tissue.

Corresponding author: Jen-Hung Yang, No. 110, Sec. 1, Jianguo N. Road, Taichung, Taiwan 402, R.O.C. TEL: 886-4-2473-9595 FAX: 886-4-2324-8116 E-mail: mryang@csmu.edu.tw Funding source: none Confl ict of interest: none declared Received: October 09, 2008 Revised: December 22, 2008 Accepted: February 11, 2009 CASE REPORT A 61-year-old woman, who was a farmer, suffered from fl esh to reddish annular skin rash over face, trunk and the extremities on and off for more than 20 years. The eruptions initially occurred on the face, and then involved the neck, chest, upper back and dorsal aspects of upper limbs indicating sunexposed areas. The lesions revealed as annular, erythematous, shiny-surfaced, infi ltrated papules or plaques (Fig. 1). The physical examination revealed no abnormal fi ndings on chest, and no lymphadenopathy was noted. The rash usually exacerbated after sunlight exposure 12 to 24 hours. The patient had no other systemic disease and denied taking medications which would cause photosensitivity. Laboratory studies including complete blood count, renal and liver function, serum calcium, angiotensin-converting enzyme, antinuclear antibody, Anti-extractable nuclear antigen antibodies, complement component 3, complement component 4, and serum immunoelectrophoresis were all within normal limits. Tuberculin purifi ed protein derivative (PPD) test revealed as a 20 mm in diameter indurated plaque. The histopathology of a papule on chest revealed dermal noncaseating granulomas composed of epithelioid cells and multinucleated giant cells and few lymphocytes (Fig. 2). Histochemical stains, including acid-fast, periodic acid-Schiff, alcian-blue, and elastica van Gieson stains, were negative. The pathological findings were compatible with cutaneous sarcoidosis. Further evaluations including the chest X-ray film, ophthalmologic examination, chest computed tomography (CT), abdominal sonography, and whole body gallium-67 scan revealed no systemic involvement. According to the clinical manifestations and pathological findings, the patient was diagnosed as photo-induced sarcoidosis. We initially used potent topical steroid (dermovate cream) for treatment, but could not control the disease. Then, systemic prednisolone (30 mg, qd) was given, and the disease responded well and resulted in a complete remission in 3 weeks. In the meanwhile, we observed that avoiding sun-exposure was beneficial to control the disease activity in the 2-year follow-up period.