Clinical and pathological features of different types of leprosy.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the clinical and pathological features of leprosy bacillus-related neuropathy in different clinical stages. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Four patients confirmed to have leprosy between 2012 and 2020 were chosen as the primary study subjects. The patients' clinical data were retrospectively analyzed to investigate the clinical and pathological features of the different clinical types of leprosy. RESULTS: Each patient had a different degree of deformity. For instance, in Case 1, upon dermatological examination, the eyebrows were not falling off, and the face was slightly invaded. The great auricular nerve was thickened, and there were plaques on the back of the right hand with ill-defined edges but no itching. No atrophy in the thenar or hypothenar was observed, though pain and a warm sensation were noted. The swelling of the right leg was accompanied by sensory abnormalities. Moreover, the bilateral ulnar nerves were swollen, and demyelination changes were observed upon nerve biopsy. A small number of granulomas were noted in the nerve interstitium, and the acid-fast staining was positive. Additionally, in Case 2, on dermatological examination, scars were observed on the front of the tibia, and large, reddish, symmetrically distributed patches were seen on the back. Satellite foci were visible as well. Contracture was observed in the little finger, and the ulnar nerve was damaged. Skin and nerve biopsy revealed leprosy bacillus via acid-fast staining. CONCLUSIONS: Early detection and treatment are important methods of preventing and reducing damage to peripheral nerve function in patients with leprosy.

KLF5 promotes proliferation in gastric cancer via regulating p21 and CDK4.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the expression characteristics of Krüppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) in gastric cancer (GC) and its potential correlation to pathological indexes in GC patients. Molecular mechanisms underlying the regulatory effect of KLF5 on GC progression are explored. PATIENTS AND METHODS: KLF5 expressions in GC tissues were analyzed through GEPIA dataset and those collected in our hospital. By analyzing the clinical data of GC patients, the correlation between KLF5 level and pathological characteristics of GC was determined. The regulatory effects of KLF5 on proliferative ability and cell cycle progression of SGC7901 and MGC803 cells were assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay, and flow cytometry. The regulation of KLF5 on expression levels of p21 and CDK4 in GC cells was determined by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot. RESULTS: KLF5 was markedly upregulated in GC tissues. KLF5 level was positively correlated to TNM staging, tumor size, and metastasis of GC. Meanwhile, high level of KLF5 predicted poor prognosis in GC patients. The knockdown of KLF5 in SGC7901 and MGC803 cells attenuated proliferative ability and arrested cell cycle in G0/G1 phase. Both mRNA and the protein levels of p21 were upregulated, and CDK4 levels were downregulated in SGC7901 and MGC803 cells transfected with si-KLF5. CONCLUSIONS: KLF5 is upregulated in GC and closely linked to pathological characteristics of GC patients. High level of KLF5 indicates poor prognosis of GC. It is believed that KLF5 may be a potential therapeutic target for GC.

Study of exclusive radiative B meson decays

We have studied exclusive, radiative B meson decays to charmless mesons in 9.7x10(6) B&Bmacr; decays accumulated with the CLEO detector. We measure B(B0-->K(*0)(892)gamma) = (4.55(+0.72)(-0. 68)+/-0.34)x10(-5) and B(B+-->K(*+)(892)gamma) = (3.76(+0.89)(-0. 83)+/-0.28)x10(-5). We have searched for CP asymmetry in B-->K(*)(892)gamma decays and measure A(CP) = +0.08+/-0.13+/-0.03. We report the first observation of B-->K(*)(2)(1430)gamma decays with a branching fraction of (1.66(+0.59)(-0.53)+/-0.13)x10(-5). No evidence for the decays B-->rhogamma and B0-->omegagamma is found and we limit B(B-->(rho/omega)gamma)/B(B-->K(*)(892)gamma)<0.32 at 90% C.L.