Diagnostic Value of Dermoscopic Structures in Predicting Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma in the Skin of Color.

Background: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) manifests different dermoscopic patterns in individuals with dark skin complexion compared to those with fair skin types. This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic utility of dermoscopy in discerning superficial BCC from other types of BCC, specifically in patients with dark skin complexion. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study focuses on patients diagnosed with BCC who were referred for skin biopsy between July 2020 and September 2022. Initially, the demographic characteristics of patients, clinical attributes of lesions, and pathological sub-types of BCC were documented. Subsequently, videodermoscopy was employed to capture comprehensive views and dermoscopic images of the lesions. Univariate logistic regression analysis was then utilized to assess the reliability of dermoscopic structures in distinguishing superficial BCC from other BCC types. Last, the study evaluated the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of dermoscopy in the differentiation of superficial BCC from other BCC sub-types. Results: The study enrolled 49 patients diagnosed with BCC, with a mean age of 66.22 ± 10.41 years. The most prevalent pathological sub-type observed was nodular (53.1%). Dermoscopy exhibited a higher specificity compared to the naked eye in the differentiation of superficial BCC from other types (55% vs. 35%, respectively). Univariate analysis revealed a significant association between spoke-wheel structures and superficial BCC (P = 0.02, odds ratio = 7.2, 95% confidence interval = 1.35-38.32). Conclusion: Dermoscopy exhibited superior specificity compared to the naked eye in differentiating superficial BCC from other BCC types. Notably, the spoke-wheel structure demonstrated the most robust correlation with superficial BCC.

The Role of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Infected Gastric Cancer in Increasing microRNA124 (miR-124) Promoter Methylation and Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2) Gene Expression.

The tumor suppressor microRNAs, miR-21, miR-124, and miR-494, participate in the controlling several cellular processes. To assess target miRNAs promoter methylation levels, we investigated 304 pairs of gastric cancer (GC) tissues and non-tumor tissues. We used a commercial real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Helicobacter pylori kit to detect EBV and H. pylori DNA in GC tissues. After finding hypermethylation in the promoter of the miR-124 gene, we evaluated its expression level using quantitative PCR (qPCR). Bioinformatics analysis confirmed miR-124 as a target of enhancer of Zeste homolog 2 (EZH2). Additionally, qPCR confirmed the association between EZH2 and miR-124. EBV and H. pylori DNA were detected in 9.5% and 15.1% of GC patients, respectively. Our findings also revealed significant differences in the miR-124 methylation levels among EBV-infected GC patients, H. pylori infected GC patients, GC patients without EBV and H. pylori infection, and non-tumor tissue. Bioinformatics and qPCR assays suggested an inverse relationship between the expression levels of EZH2 and miR-124 in EBV-infected GC patients. Our data revealed hypermethylation of the miR-124 promoter and significant reduction in its expression in EBV-infected GC tissues. It is possible that miR-124 may target EZH2 by binding to the 3'-UTR of the EZH2 gene, thus potentially contributing to the development of EBV-infected GC.

Global Trend on Machine Learning in Helicobacter within One Decade: A Scientometric Study.

Purpose: This study aims to create a science map, provide structural analysis, investigate evolution, and identify new trends in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) research articles. Methods: All Helicobacter publications were gathered from the Web of Science (WoS) database from August 2010 to 2021. The data were required for bibliometric analysis. The bibliometric analysis was performed with Bibliometrix R Tool. Bibliometric data were analyzed using the Bibliometrix Biblioshiny R-package software. Results: A total of 17,413 articles were reviewed and analyzed, with descriptive characteristics of the H. pylori literature included. In journals, 21,102 keywords plus and 20,490 author keywords were reported. These articles were also written by 56,106 different authors, with 262 being single-author articles. Most authors' abstracts, titles, and keywords included "Helicobacter-pylori." Since 2010, the total number of H. pylori-related publications has been decreasing. Gut, PLOS ONE, and Gastroenterology are the most influential H. pylori journals, according to source impact. China, the United States, and Japan are the countries with most affiliations and subjects. In addition, Seoul National University has published the most articles about H. pylori. According to the cloud word plot, the authors' most frequently used keywords are gastric cancer (GC), H. pylori, gastritis, eradication, and inflammation. "Helicobacter pylori" and "infection" have the steepest slopes in terms of the upward trend of words used in articles from 2010 to 2021. Subjects such as GC, intestinal metaplasia, epidemiology, peptic ulcer, eradication, and clarithromycin are included in the diagram's motor theme section, according to strategic diagrams. According to the thematic evolution map, topics such as Helicobacter pylori infection, B-cell lymphoma, CagA, Helicobacter pylori, and infection were largely discussed between 2010 and 2015. From 2016 to 2021, the top topics covered included Helicobacter pylori, H. pylori infection, and infection.

Spontaneous pneumothorax with isolated pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis in an adult case: A common manifestation of rare disease.

Key Clinical Message: Pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis should be evaluated even in adults with no previous medical history and no history of cigarette smoking who have spontaneous pneumothorax and evidence of multiple lung cystic lesions, and other organs should also be checked for multi organ Langerhans cell histiocytosis involvement. Abstract: A 30-year-old man presented with sudden chest pain and evidence of multiple cystic lesions in both upper and lower lobes of lungs, as well as left-sided pneumothorax in high resolution computed tomography. In lung samples, hematoxylin and eosin- stained sections and IHC for CD1a, S100, and BRAF V600 were positive. The patient was diagnosed with isolated pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis and was treated accordingly.

Mortality Trends of Gastrointestinal, Liver, and Pancreaticobiliary Diseases: A Hospital-Based Prospective Study in the Southeast of Iran.

Background: Gastrointestinal (GI), liver, and pancreaticobiliary diseases, in addition to the high health care utilization, account for a significant proportion of disability and death in Iran. We aimed to assess the incidence of in-hospital mortality for the total GI, liver, and pancreaticobiliary diseases in all hospitals in Kerman, Iran. Methods: In a cross-sectional study from May 2017 to April 2018, we collected the data of in-hospital death records due to GI, liver, and pancreaticobiliary diseases in all hospitals in Kerman city. GI and liver diseases were classified into three main categories: 1. Non-malignant GI diseases, 2. Non-malignant liver and pancreaticobiliary diseases, and 3. GI, liver, and pancreaticobiliary malignancies. All data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 22 (IBM). Results: Of 3427 in-hospital mortality, 269 (7.84%) deaths were due to GI, liver, and pancreaticobiliary diseases, of which 82 (30.48%) were related to non-malignant GI disorders, 92 (34.20%) to the non-malignant liver and pancreaticobiliary diseases, and 95 (35.31%) were associated with GI, liver and pancreaticobiliary malignancies. Most patients were male (62.08%), and the most common age was between 60-80 years (40.5%). GI bleeding occurred in 158 (58.73%) patients, and variceal bleeding was the most common cause (28.48%). Additionally, cirrhosis was reported in 41 out of 92 (44.56%), and hepatitis B virus (HBV) was the most common cause of cirrhosis among 17 out of 41 (41.46%). Conclusion: Our results show that gastric, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers and cirrhosis due to HBV were the most common causes of mortality associated with GI, liver, and pancreaticobiliary diseases in the hospitals of Kerman.