Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Erlotinib Induces Dry Skin via Decreased in Aquaporin-3 Expression.

An adverse reaction of dry skin occurs frequently during treatment with anticancer epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs). In this study, we conducted basic research to clarify the mechanism of EGFR-TKI-induced dry skin and propose new treatments or preventative measures. Dermal water content was significantly lower in the erlotinib-treated mice than in the control group. An assessment of the expression levels of functional genes in the skin revealed that only the expression of the water channel aquaporin-3 (AQP3) was significantly decreased in the erlotinib-treated group. When erlotinib was added to epidermal keratinocyte HaCaT cells, the expression levels of both AQP3 mRNA and protein decreased. Erlotinib treatment also significantly decreased the expression levels of phospho-EGFR and phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), both in HaCaT cells and mouse skin. Dry skin due to erlotinib may be caused by the decreased expression of AQP3 in the skin, thereby limiting water transport from the vascular side to the corneum side. The decrease in AQP3 may also be attributable to ERK suppression via inhibition of EGFR activity by erlotinib. Therefore, substances that increase AQP3 expression may be effective for erlotinib-induced dry skin.

Comprehensive morphological analysis of individual peripheral neuron dendritic arbors in ascidian larvae using the photoconvertible protein Kaede.

BACKGROUND: Ascidian larval epidermal sensory neurons (ESNs) each extend a single cilium into the outer body structure, or tunic, to form a unique external sensory network, the ASNET (ascidian dendritic network in tunic). The functions of ESNs and the ASNET are unknown, though it has been suggested that they play important roles in swimming larvae. In this study, we used transgenic larva expressing the photoconvertible protein Kaede pan-neuronally to identify the orientation and morphology of single ESN external processes within the ASNET. RESULTS: When individual ESN cell bodies were UV-irradiated, the photoconverted Kaede protein diffused into the external processes that projected to the edge of the tunic, indicating that these processes are cytoplasmically connected to the cell bodies of ESNs. We were, therefore, able to comprehensively catalog the morphology and orientation of each ESN external process. Most trunk ESNs appeared to extend neurites to the palp, but no processes were observed to emanate from palp neurons. ESN processes differed systematically in their morphology and orientation, suggesting that the ASNET is formed in a regulated, non-random fashion. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals the organization of ESN sensory fields in the ascidian larval tunic.

Case of simultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax developed into tension pneumothorax.

Spontaneous pneumothorax is a relatively common disease in the clinical practice setting and is generally recognized to occurs most often in slender young men. However, spontaneous pneumothorax that occurs bilaterally and simultaneously and progresses to tension pneumothorax has rarely been documented. Although spontaneous pneumothorax can be diagnosed based on the patient's medical history or information from ambulance personnel, it should be remembered that there are some rare cases of bilateral tension pneumothorax. Prompt and appropriate diagnosis and treatment are necessary for patients with such conditions, which may can be life-threatening.