Analysis of sebaceous gland carcinoma associated genes using network analysis to identify potentially actionable genes

Eyelid sebaceous gland carcinoma (SGC) is a rare but life-threatening condi-tion. However, there is limited computational research associated with un-derlying protein interactions specific to eyelid sebaceous gland carcinoma. The aim of our study is to identify and analyse the genes associated with eyelid sebaceous gland carcinoma using text mining and to develop a protein-protein interaction network to predict significant biological pathways using bioinformatics tool. Genes associated with eyelid sebaceous gland carcinoma were retrieved from the PubMed database using text mining with key terms ‘eyelid’, ‘sebaceous gland carcinoma’ and excluding the genes for ‘Muir-Torre Syndrome’. The interaction partners were identified using STRING. Cytoscape was used for visualization and analysis of the PPI network. Molec-ular complexes in the network were predicted using MCODE plug-in and ana-lyzed for gene ontology terms using DAVID. PubMed retrieval process identi-fied 79 genes related to eyelid sebaceous gland carcinoma. The PPI network associated with eyelid sebaceous gland carcinoma produced 79 nodes, 1768 edges. Network analysis using Cytoscape identified nine key genes and two molecular complexes to be enriched in the protein-protein interaction net-work. GO enrichment analysis identified biological processes cell fate com-mitment, Wnt signalling pathway, retinoic acid signalling and response to cytokines to be enriched in our network. Genes identified in the study might play a pivotal role in understanding the underlying molecular pathways in-volved in the development and progression of eyelid sebaceous gland carci-noma. Furthermore, it may aid in the identification of candidate biomarkers and therapeutic targets in the treatment of eyelid sebaceous gland carcino-ma.

Development of Poly Herbal Cream Formulations Containing Wild Growing Omani Medicinal Plants

Acne is derived from the Greek word “acme” which means “prime of life”. It is mostly considered to be benign and self-limiting condition but if it is ignored than it can progress to lifetime presence and scaring of the skin. Almost 85% of adolescence are affected by acne and from here males are at higher ration that female due to testosterone level that causes increase size in sebaceous gland which in turn causes more production of sebum (oil production). Women are affected more during adulthood due to imbalance of premenstrual hormones and over use of oil based cosmetics. There are many different factors that contribute to acne formation and it has many different forms. Herbal medication are considered safer than allopathic medicines because allopathic medicines are associated with various side effects such as like contact allergy, local irritation, scaling, photosensitivity, itching, redness, skin peeling, necrosis of the skin etc. In this study there are 3 herbal plants were used to prepare cream formulation that were used to investigate the anti-acne property. The aim of this research work was to develop formulations and to perform its evaluation as an herbal anti-acne cream. The objective of this study was to focus on the ant-acne or anti-bacterial effect of the formulated polyherbal cream containing three plants, Thyme, Aloe Vera and Basil. The results showed that the formulation 10 showed potential anti-acne property had that twice more concentration of aloe Vera than basil and thyme.

Clinico-pathological correlation of lacrimal caruncle tumors: a retrospective analysis over 22 years at the University Eye Hospital Bonn

Purpose The lacrimal caruncle is composed of numerous structures including different glands as well as hair follicles. Accordingly, the spectrum of benign and malignant lesions is broad, and the clinical diagnosis is often challenging. Here we systematically analyzed excised caruncular tumors over the past 22 years with special emphasis on the clinico-pathological correlation to provide a guidance for clinicians. Methods Retrospective evaluation with clinico-pathologic correlation of surgically removed caruncular tumors between 1998 and 2020 at a tertiary referral center. Results Eighty-two caruncular tumors were identified in the respective period. The patients were between 11 and 85 years of age (mean, 46.8 years; median, 49 years). Nevi (n = 35), cystic lesions (n = 14), oncocytoma (n = 9), papilloma (n = 8), sebaceous gland hyperplasia (n = 8), and reactive lymphoid hyperplasia (n = 4) were observed most frequently. Besides, we are the first reporting herniated orbital fat accompanied by a pyogenic granuloma. 2.4% (n = 2) were malignant tumors (sebaceous gland carcinoma, conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia with pyogenic granuloma). Conclusion Caruncular tumors show a broad spectrum of mostly benign tumors. They can occur in patients of any age. However, 8/9 oncocytomas and both malignant lesions were detected in patients older than 60 years. Although the clinical diagnosis was confirmed in only 68.3% by the histopathological analysis, the two malignant lesions were identified as such already clinically. Caruncular lesions with a history of growth or other signs of malignancy should be excised followed by detailed histopathological examination to allow a final diagnosis and exclude rare malignant tumors with lethal potential.

Sebaceous carcinoma of the eyelid

Sebaceous carcinoma belongs to rare malignant tumors of the eyelids, is characterized by a variety of clinical manifestations and is often disguised as other tumors or inflammatory diseases of the eyelids. The purpose of the work is to analyze the clinical picture and features of the course of sebaceous carcinoma. Material and methods. From January 2015 to December 2020, 6 patients were diagnosed with cancer of the sebaceous gland (5 patients with adenocarcinoma of the meibomian glands, 1 with adenocarcinoma of the Zeiss sebaceous glands). 4 were women and 2 were men aged from 59 to 89 years. Results. From the moment the first symptoms appeared to adequate treatment, 6-12 months passed. According to the 8th revision of the T-classification of malignant tumors of the AJCC eyelids, two patients had T2b, three had T3b, and one patient had T3c stage. A painless thickening of the eyelid cartilage and the eyelid margin was accompanied by the growth of yellowish dense masses on the conjunctiva in two women; the tumor spread to the eyelid skin in one patient. By the time the primary tumor was diagnosed, none of the patients had metastases to regional lymph nodes and hematogenous metastases. Wide excision of the tumor with simultaneous plastic surgery of the eyelid was performed in 4 patients. After excisional biopsy, 3 patients underwent local external beam radiation therapy to the area of the affected eyelid (Total dose 60 Gy.). Orbital exenteration was performed in two patients. The observation period for the patients: 3 months – 49 months. One patient died of a cause unrelated to the tumor. One patient died of metastases of Zeiss glands adenocarcinoma. Relapse of the tumor developed and metastasis to the preauricular lymph node appeared in one patient. Conclusion. Diagnosis of the sebaceous gland cancer of the eyelids is difficult, it is detected late. Ki67 does not depend on the size of the tumor, however, the large size of the tumor is an unfavorable factor in the prognosis of the disease. All patients with cancer of the sebaceous gland after treatment need to be followed up for at least 5 years with whole body PET/CT once a year. Key words: sebaceous carcinoma of the eyelids, adenocarcinoma of the meibomian glands, adenocarcinoma of the Zeiss sebaceous glands.

Regional Differences in the Permeability Barrier of the Skin—Implications in Acantholytic Skin Diseases

The chemical milieu, microbiota composition, and immune activity show prominent differences in distinct healthy skin areas. The objective of the current study was to compare the major permeability barrier components (stratum corneum and tight junction (TJ)), investigate the distribution of (corneo)desmosomes and TJs, and measure barrier function in healthy sebaceous gland-rich (SGR), apocrine gland-rich (AGR), and gland-poor (GP) skin regions. Molecules involved in cornified envelope (CE) formation, desquamation, and (corneo)desmosome and TJ organization were investigated at the mRNA and protein levels using qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. The distribution of junction structures was visualized using confocal microscopy. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) functional measurements were also performed. CE intracellular structural components were similarly expressed in gland-rich (SGR and AGR) and GP areas. In contrast, significantly lower extracellular protein levels of (corneo)desmosomes (DSG1 and CDSN) and TJs (OCLN and CLDN1) were detected in SGR/AGR areas compared to GP areas. In parallel, kallikrein proteases were significantly higher in gland-rich regions. Moreover, gland-rich areas were characterized by prominently disorganized junction structures ((corneo)desmosomes and TJs) and significantly higher TEWL levels compared to GP skin, which exhibited a regular distribution of junction structures. According to our findings, the permeability barrier of our skin is not uniform. Gland-rich areas are characterized by weaker permeability barrier features compared with GP regions. These findings have important clinical relevance and may explain the preferred localization of acantholytic skin diseases on gland-rich skin regions (e.g., Pemphigus foliaceus, Darier’s disease, and Hailey–Hailey disease).