Design of an immunohistochemistry biomarker panel for diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Background: Challenges still exist in differentiating pancreatic adenocarcinoma from benign disease. The use of adjuvant testing of tissue biopsies has demonstrated potential diagnostic value. We designed a proof of concept study to first validate four individual immunohistochemistry biomarkers and then combine them into a panel to boost overall diagnostic sensitivity.

The Transient Role for Calcium and Vitamin D during the Developmental Hair Follicle Cycle.

The role for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and/or calcium in hair follicle cycling is not clear despite their impact on keratinocyte differentiation. We found that calbindin-D9k null (knockout) pups generated from calbindin-D9k knockout females fed a vitamin D-deficient, low-calcium (0.47%) diet develop transient alopecia.

Double flap technique for reconstruction of anterior skull base defects after craniofacial tumor resection: technical note.

Background: Successful reconstruction of large anterior skull base (ASB) defects after craniofacial resection of malignant skull base tumors is paramount for preventing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistulas. The vascularized pedicled pericranial flap (PCF) has been the gold standard for repairing ASB defects after transbasal transcranial approaches. However, flap necrosis and delayed CSF leaks can occur after adjuvant radiation therapy.

Vitamin D: metabolism.

The biologically active metabolite of vitamin D, 1,25(OH)(2)D(3), affects mineral homeostasis and has numerous other diverse physiologic functions including effects on growth of cancer cells and protection against certain immune disorders. This article reviews the role of vitamin D hydroxylases in providing a tightly regulated supply of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3). The role of extrarenal 1α(OH)ase in placenta and macrophages is also discussed, as well as regulation of vitamin D hydroxylases in aging and chronic kidney disease.

Inflammatory pseudotumor (plasma cell granuloma) of the temporal bone.

We report the case of a 41-year-old man who presented with progressive right-sided ear pressure, otalgia, hearing loss, tinnitus, and intermittent otorrhea. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging detected a soft-tissue mass in the right mastoid with intracranial invasion and erosion through the tegmen tympani and mastoid cortex. Histopathologic examination was consistent with an inflammatory pseudotumor (plasma cell granuloma).

Vitamin D: metabolism.

The biologically active metabolite of vitamin D, 1,25(OH)(2)D(3), affects mineral homeostasis and has numerous other diverse physiologic functions including effects on growth of cancer cells and protection against certain immune disorders. This article reviews the role of vitamin D hydroxylases in providing a tightly regulated supply of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3). The role of extrarenal 1alpha(OH)ase in placenta and macrophages is also discussed, as well as regulation of vitamin D hydroxylases in aging and chronic kidney disease.

Evidence for a role of prolactin in calcium homeostasis: regulation of intestinal transient receptor potential vanilloid type 6, intestinal calcium absorption, and the 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) 1alpha hydroxylase gene by prolactin.

Increased calcium transport has been observed in vitamin D-deficient pregnant and lactating rats, indicating that another factor besides 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25(OH)(2)D(3)) is involved in intestinal calcium transport. To investigate prolactin as a hormone involved in calcium homeostasis, vitamin D-deficient male mice were injected with 1,25(OH)(2)D(3), prolactin, or prolactin + 1,25(OH)(2)D(3). Prolactin alone (1 microg/g body weight 48, 24, and 4 h before termination) significantly induced duodenal transient receptor potential vanilloid type 6 (TRPV6) mRNA (4-fold) but caused no change in calbindin-D(9k).

Mechanisms involved in vitamin D mediated intestinal calcium absorption and in non-classical actions of vitamin D.

Recent studies in our laboratory using calbindin-D9k null mutant mice as well as mice lacking the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) inducible epithelial calcium channel TRPV6 provide evidence for calbindin-D9k and TRPV6 independent regulation of active intestinal calcium absorption. These findings suggest that in the knock out (KO) mice there is compensation by another calcium channel or protein and that other novel factors are involved in 1,25(OH)2D3 mediated active intestinal calcium absorption. In addition, 1,25(OH)2D3 mediated paracellular transport of calcium may have contributed to the normalization of serum calcium in the null mutant mice.

Active intestinal calcium transport in the absence of transient receptor potential vanilloid type 6 and calbindin-D9k.

To study the role of the epithelial calcium channel transient receptor potential vanilloid type 6 (TRPV6) and the calcium-binding protein calbindin-D9k in intestinal calcium absorption, TRPV6 knockout (KO), calbindin-D9k KO, and TRPV6/calbindin-D(9k) double-KO (DKO) mice were generated. TRPV6 KO, calbindin-D9k KO, and TRPV6/calbindin-D9k DKO mice have serum calcium levels similar to those of wild-type (WT) mice ( approximately 10 mg Ca2+/dl). In the TRPV6 KO and the DKO mice, however, there is a 1.

Vitamin D: molecular mechanism of action.

Vitamin D maintains calcium homeostasis and is required for bone development and maintenance. Recent evidence has indicated an interrelationship between vitamin D and health beyond bone, including effects on cell proliferation and on the immune system. New developments in our lab related to the function and regulation of target proteins have provided novel insights into the mechanisms of vitamin D action.