Evaluation of Head and Cervical Spine Posture after Therapy with Maxillary Protraction Appliances / Evaluación de la Postura de la Cabeza y la Columna Cervical Después de la Terapia con Aparatos de Protracción Maxilar

SUMMARY: The objective of this study was to evaluate the changes of head and cervical spine posture of skeletal class malocclusion in adolescent with maxillary protraction. Thirty cases of skeletal class malocclusion were randomly selected from the Stomatological Hospital of Shanxi Medical University. High-quality lateral cephalograms were collected including pre- and posttreatment to compare the changes of head and cervical spine posture. Data were processed using SPSS 26.0 statistical software. The paired-t test was used to compare pre- and posttreatment mean angular measurements.A significant difference in the SNA(p<0.001), SNB(p<0.01), and ANB(p<0.001) between T1 and T2 showed an improvement in the sagittal relationships. A significant change was observed in middle cervical spine posture, while upper cervical spine posture variables showed no significant difference after treatment. Skeletal class with maxillary protraction appliance not only led to the improvement of sagittal relationship, but also changed the middle cervical spine posture.

El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar los cambios en la postura de la cabeza y la columna cervical debido a la maloclusión clase esquelética en adolescentes con protracción maxilar. Treinta casos de maloclusión de clase esquelética fueron seleccionados al azar del Hospital Estomatológico de la Universidad Médica de Shanxi. Se recogieron cefalogramas laterales de alta calidad, incluidos el tratamiento previo y posterior, para comparar los cambios en la postura de la cabeza y la columna cervical. Los datos se procesaron con el software estadístico SPSS 26.0. Se utilizó la prueba t pareada para comparar las medidas angulares medias antes y después del tratamiento. Una diferencia significativa en SNA (p <0,001), SNB (p <0,01) y ANB (p <0,001) entre T1 y T2 mostró una mejora en las relaciones sagitales. Se observó un cambio significativo en la postura de la columna cervical media, mientras que las variables de postura de la columna cervical superior no mostraron diferencias significativas después del tratamiento. La clase esquelética con aparato de protracción maxilar no solo condujo a la mejora de la relación sagital, sino que también cambió la postura de la columna cervical media.

Fever in the initial stage of IIM patients: an early clinical warning sign for AE-ILD

Abstract Background Fever is a common symptom of Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM). However, the exact correlation between fever and the prognosis of IIM is still unclear. This study aims to clarify if the IIM patients initiated with fever are associated with poorer outcomes. Methods This was a single-center retrospective cohort study. Data were collected from 79 newly diagnosed, treatment-naive IIM patients in the Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Wuxi, Jiangsu, China) from November 2016 to June 2020. According to the presence or absence of fever at the onset, the IIM patients were divided into two groups(fever group n = 28, without fever group n = 51) Clinical characteristics, laboratory data, treatment, and outcomes were recorded. The Kaplan-Meier and log-rank tests were used to compare the all-cause mortality, relapse rate, and acute exacerbation of interstitial lung disease (AE-ILD) incidence. The association of fever with the outcomes was assessed in the unadjusted and adjusted forward logistic regression model. Results Compared with the non-fever group, the age at onset of the fever group was higher, and mechanic's hands (MH) and interstitial lung disease (ILD) were more common. Systemic inflammation (CRP and ESR) was significantly higher in the fever group, while the level of albumin(ALB) and muscle enzymes were lower. The fever group seemed to be received more aggressive treatment, with higher dose glucocorticoids and higher rates of intravenous immunoglobulins(IVIG) use. The all-cause mortality rate and the incidence rate of AE-ILD were higher in the fever group. Even adjusted for the age at onset and treatments, fever was significantly associated with AE-ILD and all-cause mortality. Conclusion Our study has demonstrated that fever at initial diagnosis is associated with AE-ILD and mortality. Fever should serve as an early clinical warning sign for poor outcomes in IIM patients.

Xinhui citrus fermentation liquor ameliorates acute ulcerative colitis in mice via regulating intestinal bacteria homeostasis and Nrf2/NLRP3 pathway to repair intestinal mucosa / 药学学报

This study investigated the protective effect and related mechanisms of Xinhui citrus fermentation liquor on mice with ulcerative colitis. Animal experiments follow the rules of Animal Ethics Committee of Southern Medical University. C57BL/6 mice were given 3% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) for 6 days to induce acute ulcerative colitis. During this period, Xinhui citrus fermentation liquor, decoction of Citrus reticulata blanco (both orally administrated with 300 mg·kg-1·d-1 crude polysaccharide) or positive drug 5-aminosalicylic acid (100 mg·kg-1·d-1) were gavaged continuously for 9 days. Cecal contents were collected for 16S rRNA sequencing analysis. The levels of inflammatory factors, tight junction proteins and nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 / Nod-like receptor protein 3 (Nrf2/NLRP3) pathway related proteins in the colon were detected by real-time PCR (RT-PCR), immunofluorescence and Western blot. Our results showed that Xinhui citrus fermentation liquor and Citrus reticulata blanco protected against UC-induced weight loss, diarrhea, bloody stool, and colon shortening. The mRNA and protein levels of pro-inflammatory factors, such as interleukin 6 (Il-6) and CXC chemokine ligand 10 (Cxcl10) and NLRP3 inflammasome were significantly decreased; the mRNA levels of colon anti-inflammatory factor (Il-10), tight junction protein [zonula occludens-1 (Zo-1), occludin, claudin-1], mucin 2 (Muc2), Nrf2, as well as the mRNA and protein levels of NAD(P)H quinine oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) were significantly increased. In addition, Xinhui citrus fermentation liquor increased the abundance of Akkermansia and reduced the abundance of harmful bacteria Enterococcus and Streptococcus. The correlation analysis showed that the abundance of Akkermansia was positively correlated with anti-inflammatory factors, tight junction protein and the related genes levels of Nrf2 signaling pathway. In summary, Xinhui citrus fermentation liquor ameliorates acute ulcerative colitis in mice via regulating intestinal bacteria homeostasis and Nrf2/NLRP3 pathway to repair intestinal mucosa.

Role of dexamethasone/captopril co-loaded immunoliposome-nanoparticle hybrids on the regulation of macrophage polarization in mice with glomerulonephritis / 药学学报

In this study, dexamethasone (DXMS) and captopril (CAP) were co-loaded into poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles with a surface coating of a phospholipid bilayer, and then the core-shell nanoparticles were modified with polyethylene glycol and integrin α8 antibody to obtain immunoliposome-nanoparticle hybrids (DXMS/CAP@PLGA-ILs). The role of nanoparticles on the renal targeting, anti-inflammatory effects, and macrophage differentiation were investigated. The results showed that the particle size of the nanoparticles was 115.9 ± 2.89 nm, and the core-shell structure could be observed under an electron microscope. The drug loading capacity of DXMS and CAP was 5.72% ± 0.37% and 7.51% ± 0.07%, respectively. The results of in vitro experiments showed that DXMS/CAP@PLGA-ILs could reduce the secretion of specific cytokines and the mRNA expression of markers in M2-type macrophages, thus promoting the differentiation of M2-type macrophages in the direction of unpolarized macrophages. In vivo experiments in mice showed that DXMS/CAP@PLGA-ILs had a significant renal targeting effect, which could restore the renal index, serum creatinine, and urea nitrogen levels of mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis in mice. Moreover, DXMS/CAP@PLGA-ILs could reduce both the secretion of inflammatory cytokines and the mRNA expression levels of M1 and M2 macrophage markers in the kidney. All the animal experiments were in accordance with the regulations of Animal Ethics Committee of Sichuan Agricultural University. In conclusion, renal-targeting DXMS/CAP@PLGA-ILs could effectively regulate the polarization of macrophages and had an "anti-inflammatory/anti-fibrosis" therapeutic effect, providing a new strategy and basis for the targeted therapy of glomerulonephritis.

POST1/C12ORF49 regulates the SREBP pathway by promoting site-1 protease maturation

Sterol-regulatory element binding proteins (SREBPs) are the key transcriptional regulators of lipid metabolism. The activation of SREBP requires translocation of the SREBP precursor from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi, where it is sequentially cleaved by site-1 protease (S1P) and site-2 protease and releases a nuclear form to modulate gene expression. To search for new genes regulating cholesterol metabolism, we perform a genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 knockout screen and find that partner of site-1 protease (POST1), encoded by C12ORF49, is critically involved in the SREBP signaling. Ablation of POST1 decreases the generation of nuclear SREBP and reduces the expression of SREBP target genes. POST1 binds S1P, which is synthesized as an inactive protease (form A) and becomes fully mature via a two-step autocatalytic process involving forms B'/B and C'/C. POST1 promotes the generation of the functional S1P-C'/C from S1P-B'/B (canonical cleavage) and, notably, from S1P-A directly (non-canonical cleavage) as well. This POST1-mediated S1P activation is also essential for the cleavages of other S1P substrates including ATF6, CREB3 family members and the α/β-subunit precursor of N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphotransferase. Together, we demonstrate that POST1 is a cofactor controlling S1P maturation and plays important roles in lipid homeostasis, unfolded protein response, lipoprotein metabolism and lysosome biogenesis.

Construct validity of the Motor Development Scale (MDS)

Abstract Objective Construct validity for the Motor Development Scale (MDS) has not been established. The aim of this study was to examine whether the unidimensional model of MDS would be appropriate for children aged 4 to 6 years-old and provide construct validity for the items concerning this age group in Brazil. Methods A total of 938 children participated in the study (214 4-year-olds, 643 5-year-olds, and 81 6-year-olds). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to evaluate construct validity of the MDS using a unidimensional model. Results The CFA for the unidimensional model showed excellent adequacy indices for age 4: χ2(2) = 0.581, p = 0.748, comparative fit index (CFI) = 1.000, Tucker-Lewis index (TLI) = 1.090, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.000 (90% confidence interval [90%CI] = 0.000 to 0.093, close fit [Cfit] = 0.841); age 5: χ2(2) = 2.669, p = 0.263, CFI = 0.993, TLI = 0.980, RMSEA = 0.023 (90%CI = 0.000 to 0.085, Cfit = 0.682), weighted root mean square residual (WRMR) = 0.407; and age 6: χ2(9) = 8.275, p = 0.506, CFI = 1.000, TLI = 1.010, RMSEA = 0.000 (90%CI = 0.000 to 0.118, Cfit = 0.653), WRMR = 0.495. Reliability was good: ω = 0.87 (95%CI = 0.81 to 0.92). Conclusion The proposed unidimensional solution for the MDS provides a concise, parsimonious and reliable way to assess motor development in children aged 4 to 6 years.

Investigation and analysis on the living habits of young and middle-aged patients with recurrent aphthous ulcer in Nanjing / 口腔疾病防治

Objective @#To explore the potential association between particular living habits and recurrent aphthous ulcers (RAU), and provide some references for RAU prevention among the young and middle⁃aged. @*Methods@#The mul⁃ tistage random sampling method was adopted to select 850 young and middle⁃aged people in Nanjing. The disease sta⁃ tus and living habits of young and middle⁃aged people with RAU in Nanjing were investigated by a questionnaire, and the influencing factors were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis.@*Results@# The preva⁃ lence of RAU was 20.5% among 799 individuals, including 357 men and 442 women. The risk of RAU at medium and low stress levels was 0.533 times and 0.419 times that at high stress levels, respectively (P < 0.05), indicating that high stress was an independent risk factor for RAU. The risk of RAU in patients with low exercise levels was 1.513 times that in patients with high exercise levels (P < 0.05), indicating that high exercise levels were a protective factor for RAU. There were no statistically significant differences in age, sex, smoking, drinking or bedtime (P > 0.05). @*Conclu⁃ sion@#Multivariate logistic regression showed that mental stress and physical activity were independent influencing fac⁃ tors for the development of RAU. The living habits of RAU patients and RAU susceptible populations should be treated with corresponding interventions to prevent RAU.

Clinical relationships between the rs2212020 and rs189897 polymorphisms of the ITGA9 gene and epithelial ovarian cancer

To better understand the role of integrin subunit alpha 9 (ITGA9) gene polymorphism in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), we investigated the distribution of ITGA9 gene polymorphisms (rs2212020 and rs189897) and revealed whether these polymorphisms were associated with a curative effect in EOC. It was found that rs2212020 and rs189897 were correlated significantly with EOC incidence. The frequency of the C allele of rs2212020 was significantly higher in EOC patients than in the control group (P = 0.009, χ2 = 6.857). The population with the C allele of rs2212020 had a higher EOC risk than the population with the T allele (hazard ratio = 1.97, 95.0% CI = 1.178−3.299). Further, our results showed that the CC genotype was a risk factor for EOC. Regarding the association between ITGA9 and the sensitivity to platinum-based chemotherapy in EOC, there were no statistically significant differences in the frequencies of the rs189897 and rs2212020 polymorphisms between the chemosensitivegroup and the control group. In multivariate analysis, the patients with the TT genotype of rs189897 had longer progression free survival (PFS) than the patients without this genotype (P = 0.010, OR = 2.491). The AT genotype of rs189897 was a risk factor for PFS in EOC. These findings suggested that rs189897 and rs2212020 could play important roles in EOC diagnosis and prognosis.

Exercise and dietary behaviors among primary and middle school students in Shangdong Province and the related risk factors / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To investigate knowledge, attitudes, and practice on exercise and dietary behaviors among the primary and middle school pupils in Shandong province, and to provide a theoretical basis for a targeted education on diet and physical health among the primary and middle school students.@*Methods@#A questionnaire survey was conducted among 6 161 students from 3 cities in Shandong province by random cluster sampling.@*Results@#Self-reported rate of having breakfast every day for primary and middle school students were 85.0% and 75.3% ,respectively(χ2=84.0，P<0.01). 41.2% of primary school students were reported to do physical exercises more than 60 minutes every day and the rate was only 29.6% for middle school students(χ2=270.0，P<0.01). 39.2% of boys were reported to do physical exercises more than 60 minutes every day and the rate was 28.7% for the girls(χ2=90.4，P<0.01). The awareness rates of knowledge about dietary and physical exercise among primary and middle school students were 44.4% and 55.8%, respectively(χ2=702.0，P<0.01). The awareness rates among boys and girls were 50.4% and 51.9% respectively (χ2=12.4，P<0.01). Parents’ occupation, knowledge score and education level of mother were influencing factors of breakfast behavior everyday. The physical exercise was influenced by gender, parents' occupation, knowledge score and education level of mother.@*Conclusion@#It is necessary to educate students to take healthy diet and have more physia1 activities. Families, schools and government departments need to take feasible measures to ensure the time and intensity of pupils’ physical exercise through many ways.

Composition analysis and antioxidant activities of the Rhus typhina L. stem / 药物分析学报

The present investigation reports the chemical composition of the Rhus typhina L. stem identified via mass spectrometry and NMR as gallic acid, 1-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose, tryptophan, scopolin, methyl gallate, fustin, quercetin, rutin, and 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose. The antioxidant properties and the chemical composition contents of the R. typhina L. stem grown in different regions in China were de-termined. To determine the antioxidant activity, a total phenolic content analysis, 2, 2-diphenyl-1-pi-crylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity assay, ferric reducing antioxidant power assay, andβ-carotene linoleic acid model system were conducted. The results showed that the Rhus typhina L. stem possessed high antioxidant capacities due to its high phenolic content. The contents of the nine isolated compounds were determined by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS. The calibration curves of the nine isolated compounds were linear within the concentration range and the average recoveries were high. The result showed that 1-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose, gallic acid, methyl gallate, and 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose could be the compounds mainly responsible for the antioxidant capacity of the R. typhina L. stem. This reveals that the R. typhina L. stem is a good source of antioxidants.

Effect of Lycium Barbarum polysaccharides on immune function of erythrocytes in immunosuppressed mice / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of Lycium Barbarum polysaccharides on immune function of erythrocytes in doxorubicin-treated mice.Methods:BALB/c mice were treated with doxorubicin and used as immunosuppression model.The mice were treated with Lycium Barbarum polysaccharides(62.5,125,250 mg/kg) for 7 days,the normal control mice and model control mice were also used in this study.Expression level of CD59 molecule in erythrocytes was analyzed with flow cytometry.The Band-3 level was analyzed by Coomassie Brilliant Blue method.The NKEF-A and NKEF-B expression level in erythrocytes was analyzed by Western blot.The killing activity of NK cells was analyzed with flow cytometry.Results: The level of Band-3,NKEF-A and NKEF-B was decrease in erythrocytes of doxorubicin-treated mice.The killing activity of NK cells was also decrease in the mice when the expression level of CD59 molecule was not change obviously.Lycium Barbarum polysaccharides treatment could promote the recovery of Band-3, NKEF-A and NKEF-B in erythrocytes of the mice.Conclusion:Lycium Barbarum polysaccharides can promote the recovery of immune function of erythrocytes in doxorubicin-treated mice.

Co‑existing ligneous conjunctivitis and IgG4‑related disease.

Herein, we elucidate that ligneous conjunctivitis (LC) was proved as an IgG4‑related disease (IgG4‑RD) by a series of pathologic studies from primary and recurrent episodes of an LC patient. LC was diagnosed based on clinical presentation and pathological appearance; furthermore, combined with serological examination and immunohistochemical study, the case also conformed to the diagnosis of IgG4‑RD. The IgG4‑RD, broadly discussed in recent times, is an idiopathic disease entity with tissue fibrosis possibly involving multiple organs. To the best of our knowledge, IgG4‑RD has never been reported with LC. By reporting the clinical course and literature review, we should pay attention to the association between these two diseases.

The prevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in horses in Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang, northwestern China / Prevalência de anticorpos contra Toxoplasma gondiiem cavalos na Região de Uygur, Xinjiang, Noroeste da China

Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii, which can infect warm-blooded animals and humans. The present study was performed to investigate the seroprevalence of T. gondii in horses in Xinjiang, northwestern China. A total of 637 blood samples were collected from seven regions in Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang in 2011 and assayed for T. gondiiantibodies using the modified agglutination test (MAT). Risk factors (age, gender, and region) related to seroprevalence were determined by a multivariate logistic regression analysis. A total of 200 horses (31.4%, 95% CI 27.79–35.00) were seropositive for T. gondii. Age, gender, and region present no association with seroprevalence (p>0.05) in the logistic regression analysis. The results indicated that T. gondii is widely prevalent in horses in Xinjiang, northwestern China, representing a serious threat to animal and human health. Therefore, more careful measures should be performed to control and prevent T. gondii infection in horses from Xinjiang, northwestern China.

A toxoplasmose é uma zoonose global causada pelo Toxoplasma gondii, o qual pode infectar animais de sangue quente e seres humanos. Este estudo foi realizado com o objetivo de investigar a soroprevalência em cavalos para T. gondii, na região de Xinjiang, no Noroeste da China. Em 2011, foram recolhidas 637 amostras de sangue em sete distritos da Prefeitura Autônoma de Changji Hui do Xinjiang, as quais foram testadas para a presença de anticorpos, utilizando-se o teste de aglutinação modificado (MAT). Foram estimados fatores de risco relacionados com a soroprevalência (idade, sexo e distrito), através de uma análise de regressão logística multivariada. Um total de 200 equinos (31,4%, 95% IC 27,79 – 35,00) foi positivo para T. gondii. Idade, sexo e região estudada não apresentaram associação com a soroprevalência (p>0,05) na análise de regressão logística. Os resultados revelam que a infecção por T. gondii tem uma prevalência generalizada em todo o território de Xinjiang, no Noroeste da China, constituindo uma séria ameaça à saúde de animais e de humanos. Consequentemente, propõe-se que sejam adotadas medidas reforçadas para o controle e prevenção da infecção de cavalos por T. gondii, no Xinjiang, Noroeste da China.

Anatomical characteristics of deer and sheep lumbar spines: comparison to the human lumbar spine / Características anatómicas de la columna vertebral de ciervos y ovejas: comparación con la columna vertebral humana

Deer and sheep spines are often used as models of the human spine. A prerequisite for the use of animal models is information regarding the interspecies differences in the parameters of general interest. This would clarify the limitations of each animal model and substantiate the applicability of the obtained results to humans. Since sufficient data appear to be currently unavailable, we sought to investigate the feasibility of using deer and sheep as animal models for studies on the human spine. The objective of this study was a thorough comparison of the anatomical parameters of deer and sheep spines with those of the human spine. We employed three-dimensional reconstructions of computed tomography images, generated using figure analysis software, which facilitated quantitative analysis of the linear and curvature parameters and the geometric index of the vertebral bodies. Our findings represent a comprehensive database of the anatomical characteristics of the deer and sheep lumbar spines and their comparisons with those of the human lumbar spine. This study provides insight into the similarities and differences in the vertebral geometries between the human spine and the deer and sheep spines. We found that the differences are minimal and that they do not greatly compromise the utility of deer and sheep lumbar spines as models of the human lumbar spine.

La columna vertebral de ciervos y ovejas se utiliza frecuentemente como modelo de la columna vertebral humana. Un requisito previo para el uso de modelos animales es la información con respecto a las diferencias entre especies en los parámetros de interés general, lo que aclara las limitaciones de cada modelo animal y fundamenta la aplicabilidad de los resultados obtenidos para los seres humanos. Debido a que existen datos suficientes actualmente, hemos intentado investigar la viabilidad de utilizar ciervos y ovejas como modelos animales para los estudios sobre la columna vertebral humana. El objetivo fue realizar una comparación exhaustiva de los parámetros anatómicos de las columnas de ciervos y ovejas, con los de la columna vertebral humana. Empleamos reconstrucciones tridimensionales de imágenes de tomografía computadorizada, mediante un programa de análisis de la figura, lo que facilitó el análisis cuantitativo de los parámetros lineales y de la curvatura y el índice geométrico de las vértebras. Nuestros hallazgos representan una amplia base de datos de las características anatómicas de la columna lumbar de los ciervos y ovejas y sus comparaciones con las de la columna lumbar humana. Este estudio proporciona información sobre las similitudes y diferencias en las geometrías vertebrales entre la columna vertebral humana y las columnas de venado y oveja. Se encontró que las diferencias son mínimas y que no comprometen el uso de la columna de ciervos y ovejas como modelos de la columna lumbar humana.

Laboratory analyses of two explanted hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lenses.

Two three‑piece hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lenses (IOLs) were explanted from two patients at 7 and 9 years, respectively, after implantation, because of poor fundus visualisation and/or a clinically significant decrease in visual acuity related to their opacified IOLs. In addition to light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X‑ray spectroscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy was used for the first time to observe the explanted IOLs. The clinical aspect seemed to correspond to the phenomenon of surface light scattering, while laboratory analyses showed dense glistenings in the central layer of the IOL optic, which had no change next to the surface. Further studies on these phenomena are needed.

FKBP12 regulates the localization and processing of amyloid precursor protein in human cell lines.

One of the pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease is the presence of insoluble extracellular amyloid plaques. These plaques are mainly constituted of amyloid beta peptide (Aβ), a proteolytic product of amyloid precursor protein (APP). APP processing also generates the APP intracellular domain (AICD). We have previously demonstrated that AICD interacts with FKBP12, a peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase (PPIase) ubiquitous in nerve systems. This interaction was interfered by FK506, a clinically used immunosuppressant that has recently been reported to be neuroprotective. To elucidate the roles of FKBP12 in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease, the effect of FKBP12 overexpression on APP processing was evaluated. Our results revealed that APP processing was shifted towards the amyloidogenic pathway, accompanied by a change in the subcellular localization of APP, upon FKBP12 overexpression. This FKBP12-overexpression-induced effect was reverted by FK506. These findings support our hypothesis that FKBP12 may participate in the regulation of APP processing. FKBP12 overexpression may lead to the stabilization of a certain isomer (presumably the cis form) of the Thr668-Pro669 peptide bond in AICD, therefore change its affinity to flotillin-1 or other raft-associated proteins, and eventually change the localization pattern and cause a shift in the proteolytic processing of APP.

Novel molecular aberrations and pathologic findings in a tubulocystic variant of renal cell carcinoma.

Tubulocystic renal cell carcinoma (TRCC) is an indolent type of renal cell carcinoma with a good prognosis based on the limited number of published cases. Herein, we describe the unusual clinical, pathologic and molecular fi ndings in a case of TRCC. Our patient with TRCC had two local recurrences and a brain metastasis following radical nephrectomy. Unusual histologic fi ndings included focal solid growth pattern and cytologic atypia. A genome-wide molecular inversion probe assay identifi ed copy number (CN) loss in three chromosome regions and one region with copy-neutral loss of heterozygosity (copy-neutral LOH). Copy number variations (CNVs) were observed (chromosomes 4p16.1 and 17q21.31-q21.32) in both the tumor and the normal tissue, and most likely represents benign variations. The loss of entire chromosomes 9, 18 and 15 and copy-neutral LOH involving 6p22.1 was observed only in the tumor. The presence of these clinical, pathologic and molecular fi ndings could be related to an increased risk for tumor recurrence and poor prognosis. The novel molecular fi ndings described in TRCC might represent new targets for novel therapies.