Screening of Autophagy-Related Prognostic Genes in Metastatic Skin Melanoma

Cutaneous melanoma refers to a common skin tumor that is dangerous to health with a great risk of metastasis. Previous researches reported that autophagy is associated with the progression of cutaneous melanoma. Nevertheless, the role played by genes with a relation to autophagy (ARG) in the prediction of the course of metastatic cutaneous melanoma is still largely unknown. We observed that thirteen ARGs showed relations to overall survival (OS) in the Cox regression investigation based on a single variate. We developed 2-gene signature, which stratified metastatic cutaneous melanoma cases to groups at great and small risks. Cases suffering from metastatic cutaneous melanoma in the group at great risks had power OS compared with cases at small risks. The risk score, T phase, N phase, and age were proved to be individual factors in terms of the prediction of OS. Besides, the risk scores identified by the two ARGs were significantly correlated with metastatic cutaneous melanoma. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated accurate predicting performance exhibited by the 2-gene signature. We also found that the immunization and stromal scores achieved by the group based on large risks were higher compared with those achieved by the group based on small risks. The metastatic cutaneous melanoma cases achieving the score based on small risks acquired greater expression of immune checkpoint molecules as compared with the high-risk group. In conclusion, the 2-ARG gene signature indicated a novel prognostic indicator for prognosis prediction of metastatic cutaneous melanoma, which served as an important tool for guiding the clinical treatment of cutaneous melanoma.

Solitary skin-colored nodule on a child’s face

Sir, A healthy, six-year-old boy presented with a slowly grown dome-shaped nodule on the mandibular angle region present for two years. The patient’s past medical and family history were unremarkable. A physical examination revealed a solitary, 1.3 × 1 cm, firm, painless, flesh-colored tumor (Fig. 1). Dermoscopy showed branching, serpentine vessels on a pink background (Fig. 2a). These features disappeared when slight pressure was exerted on the dermoscope and the tumor exhibited a central, white, structureless area (Fig. 2b). An excisional biopsy was performed. A microscopic examination showed a well-circumscribed, paucicellular dermal tumor composed of eosinophilic collagen bundles separated by clefts and forming a storiform pattern. Scattered fibroblasts were found among the collagen bundles. The overlying epidermis was slightly flattened (Fig. 3). The diagnosis of solitary sclerotic fibroma was established. Sclerotic fibroma (SF), also known as storiform collagenoma, is a rare benign skin tumor. It usually manifests itself as an asymptomatic, slowly growing, white-to-skin-colored papule or nodule [1]. It was first described in patients with Cowden’s disease, yet may also occur sporadically [2]. There were no mucocutaneous features of Cowden’s disease (tricholemmomas, oral fibromas, acral keratoses, palmar pits, and gingival and palatal papules) in the patient and her family members. Dermatofibroma, the main differential diagnosis of SF, usually exhibits hyperplastic changes of the epidermis instead of atrophy, and the boundaries of the lesion are unclear [2]. Only two papers have been published describing the dermoscopic findings of SF, consisting of a white background with peripheral arborizing vessels [3]. A white background may be related to an increased dermal collagen density. It is also described in dermatofibroma, typically with a peripheral pigmentation network. Although dermoscopy may improve the clinical diagnosis of SF, histopathological analysis is required.

Bleeding hepatico-cutaneous fistula: Unusual complication of the percutaneous liver biopsy

Introduction. Arteriovenous fistula is one of the complications that can occur during percutaneous liver biopsy. Hepatic arterio-venous fistula with chronic bleeding from the puncture site on the skin is extremly rare complication following percutaneous liver biopsy. Case report. The case represents a 35-year-old woman with secondary anemia caused by chronic bleeding at the site of a granuloma caused by a previous liver biopsy done 7 years ago. The patient was examined and treated for several years due to anemic syndrome. The pathological communication between the right hepatic vein, the anterior sectional branch of the portal vein and the posterior arterial sectional branch was detected on a CT scan, and proven by fistulography. Due to the failed embolization, a laparotomy was performed, where a tumor mass was found in the VI and VII segment of the liver, which communicates with the skin. Tumor mass was removed by atypical resection of VI and VII liver segments. Due to hemorrhage, re-exploration was performed, where bleeding was found from the surface of the resected liver parenchyma. Two weeks after the last operation, the patient was released for home treatment. Conclusion. Although percutaneous liver biopsy is a safe procedure, the complication in the form of bleeding occurs in less than 25% of cases and with spontaneous cessation. In our presentation, there was a complicated intrahepatic arteriovenous-portal fistula with the formation of communication with the puncture site on the skin. This is the first case of complications of this type after percutaneous liver biopsy.

Antimutagenic Activity of Cassia Auriculata Linn Fractions along with Anticancer Activity in Male Albino Mice

Background: In recent years, there has been a surge in interest in studying plant-derived materials and their impact on DNA. Herbal products include a number of natural substances that may help protect cells against mutagen-induced cell damage. Aim: The purpose of this research was to assess the genotoxic effects of Cassia Auriculata Linn flavonoids (CAF) and Cassia Auriculata Linn saponin (CAS) rich fractions on mouse bone marrow cells utilizing chromosomal aberration test and micronucleus assay. Methodology: The suppressive impact of CAF and CAS on 7, 12-dimethylbenz (α) anthracene (DMBA) and Croton oil induced skin tumor promotion in mice with topical administration twice weekly for 18 weeks is also investigated in this work. Three dosages of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight were used. Single oral dosages of CAF and CAS Fraction at the three levels did not enhance the number of micronucleate polychromatic erythrocytes in the micronucleus experiment. Result: In mice bone marrow cells, a single oral treatment of CAF and CAS fraction revealed no significant alterations in mitotic indices or chromosomal aberration induction. The clastogenicity of CYP was considerably decreased by pretreatment with CAF and CAS fraction. As a result, it can be stated that CAF and CAS fraction had no genotoxic impact on mouse bone marrow cells. Conclusions: The portions of Cassia Auriculata have been shown to be non-genotoxic and non-clastogenic at the quantities utilized in this investigation. CAF and CAS Fraction might possibly be a promising skin tumor promotion reducing agent, according to this research.

Flexible Microwave Biosensor for Skin Abnormality Detection Based on Spoof Surface Plasmon Polaritons

Point-of-care testing plays an important role in the detection of skin abnormalities. The detection of skin abnormalities requires sufficient depth and no harm. A flexible microwave biosensor based on spoof surface plasmon polaritons was designed to meet the requirements of skin abnormalities. The designed biosensor, which works at 13.3 GHz, is small and can be flexibly attached to the skin surface of any part of the human body for measurement. The health status of the skin can be evaluated by the resonant frequency and the magnitude of the reflection coefficient of the sensor. The sensor was tested on pork skin. The experiment results showed that the sensor can detect skin abnormalities such as skin burn, skin tumor, and others. Compared with other sensors, the sensor has sufficient penetration depth because of the strong penetration of microwave electromagnetic waves. It is the first flexible microwave biosensor used for skin, which involves point-of-care testing, and continuous monitoring of skin.

Heat Transfer in Biological Spherical Tissues during Hyperthermia of Magnetoma

Hyperthermia therapy is now being used to treat cancer. However, understanding the pattern of temperature increase in biological tissues during hyperthermia treatment is essential. In recent years, many physicians and engineers have studied the use of computational and mathematical models of heat transfer in biological systems. The rapid progress in computing technology has intrigued many researchers. Many medical procedures also use engineering techniques and mathematical modeling to ensure their safety and assess the risks involved. One such model is the modified Pennes bioheat conduction equation. This paper provides an analytical solution to the modified Pennes bioheat conduction equation with a single relaxation time by incorporating in it the (MGT) equation. The suggested model examines heat transport in biological tissues as forming an infinite concentric spherical region during magnetic fluid hyperthermia. To investigate thermal reactions caused by temperature shock, specifically the influence of heat generation through heat treatment on a skin tumor [AEGP9], the Laplace transformation, and numerical inverse transformation methods are used. This model was able to explain the effects of different therapeutic approaches such as cryotherapy sessions, laser therapy, and physical occurrences, transfer, metabolism support, and blood perfusion. Comparison of the numerical results of the suggested model with those in the literature confirmed the validity of the model’s numerical results.

Exploration and Validation of Metastasis-associated Genes for Skin Cutaneous Melanoma

Background: Skin cutaneous melanoma is a malignant and highly metastatic skin tumor, and its morbidity and mortality are still rising worldwide. However, the molecular mechanisms that promote melanoma metastasis are unclear. Methods: Two datasets (GSE15605 and GSE46517) were retrieved to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 23 normal skin tissues (N), 77 primary melanoma tissues (T) and 85 metastatic melanoma tissues (M). Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment were performed to explore the functions of the DEGs. The protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using the STRING tool and Cytoscape software. We used the cytoHubba plugin of Cytoscape to identify the most significant hub genes by five topological analyses (Degree, Bottleneck, MCC, MNC, and EPC). Hub gene expression was validated using the UALCAN website. Clinical relevance was investigated using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) resources. Finally, we explored the association between metastasis-associated genes and immune infiltrates through the Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) database and performed drug-gene interaction analysis using the Drug-Gene Interaction database.Results: A total of 294 specific genes were related to melanoma metastasis and were mainly involved in the positive regulation of locomotion, mitotic cell cycle process, and epithelial cell differentiation. Four hub genes (CDK1, FOXM1, KIF11, and RFC4) were identified from the cytoHubba plugin of Cytoscape. CDK1 was significantly upregulated in metastatic melanoma compared with primary melanoma, and high expression of CDK1 was positively correlated with poor prognosis. We found that CDK1 expression correlated positively with the infiltration levels of macrophage cells (Rho = -0.164, P = 2.02e-03) and neutrophil cells (Rho = 0.269, P = 2.72e-07) in SKCM metastasis. In addition, we identified that CDK1 had a close interaction with 10 antitumor drugs. Conclusions: CDK1 was identified as a hub gene involved in the progression of melanoma metastasis and may be regarded as a therapeutic target for melanoma patients to improve prognosis and prevent metastasis in the future.