Bilateral Thoracic Herpes Zoster in a 62-year-old Immunocompetent Woman.

Herpes zoster (HZ), caused by the reactivation of varicella-zoster virus (VZV), typically presents as a unilateral dermatomal erythematous vesicular rash. Bilateral HZ is rare and usually associated with immunocompromise. We report the case of a 62-year-old female with no evident immunocompromise who developed bilateral thoracic HZ.

Tetrandrine for Targeting Therapy Resistance in Cancer.

During the last five decades, there has been tremendous development in our understanding of cancer biology and the development of new and novel therapeutics to target cancer. However, despite these advances, cancer remains the second leading cause of death across the globe. Most cancer deaths are attributed to the development of resistance to current therapies.

Regulation of SPDEF expression by DNA methylation in advanced prostate cancer.

Introduction: Prostate cancer (PCa) presents a significant health challenge in men, with a substantial number of deaths attributed to metastatic castration resistant PCa (mCRPC). Moreover, African American men experience disproportionately high mortality rates due to PCa. This study delves into the pivotal role of SPDEF, a prostate specific Ets transcription factor, and its regulation by DNA methylation in the context of PCa progression.

ISGylation is increased in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells derived from symptomatic COVID-19 patients.

Cytokine-driven hyper inflammation has been identified as a critical factor behind poor outcomes in patients severely infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus. Notably, protein ISGylation, a protein conjugated form of Type 1 IFN-inducible ubiquitin-like protein ISG15 (nterferon-timulated ene ), induces cytokine storm (CS) and augments colonic inflammation in colitis-associated colon cancers in mouse models. However, whether ISGylation is increased and causally responsible for CS and hyper inflammation in symptomatic COVID-19 patients is unknown.

Hepatopulmonary Syndrome: A Nationwide Analysis of Epidemiological Trends and Outcomes From 2012 to 2018.

Background: This study was designed to determine the epidemiological trends and adverse outcomes of hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS).

Methods: This retrospective interrupted trend study analyzed data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) for the years 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018 to identify adult (≥ 18 years) hospitalizations with a diagnosis of HPS. We highlighted epidemiological trends for HPS.

Retraction notice to "Differential effects of valproic acid on growth, proliferation and metastasis in HTB-5 and HTB-9 bladder cancer cell lines" [Canc. Lett. 281/2 (2009) 196-202].

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal).

Severe COVID-19 Is Characterized by an Impaired Type I Interferon Response and Elevated Levels of Arginase Producing Granulocytic Myeloid Derived Suppressor Cells.

COVID-19 ranges from asymptomatic in 35% of cases to severe in 20% of patients. Differences in the type and degree of inflammation appear to determine the severity of the disease. Recent reports show an increase in circulating monocytic-myeloid-derived suppressor cells (M-MDSC) in severe COVID 19 that deplete arginine but are not associated with respiratory complications.

Transcriptome and Functions of Granulocytic Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells Determine their Association with Disease Severity of COVID-19.

COVID-19 ranges from asymptomatic in 35% of cases to severe in 20% of patients. Differences in the type and degree of inflammation appear to determine the severity of the disease. Recent reports show an increase in circulating monocytic-myeloid-derived suppressor cells (M-MDSC) in severe COVID 19, that deplete arginine but are not associated with respiratory complications.

Hippo pathway: Regulation, deregulation and potential therapeutic targets in cancer.

Hippo pathway is a master regulator of development, cell proliferation, stem cell function, tissue regeneration, homeostasis, and organ size control. Hippo pathway relays signals from different extracellular and intracellular events to regulate cell behavior and functions. Hippo pathway is conserved from Protista to eukaryotes.

Pancreatic cancer: genetics, disease progression, therapeutic resistance and treatment strategies.

Pancreatic cancer is a deadly disease and the third-highest cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. It has a very low five-year survival rate (< 5%) in the United States as well as in the world (about 9%). The current gemcitabine-based therapy soon becomes ineffective because treatment resistance and surgical resection also provides only selective benefit.

Prostate-Derived ETS Factor (PDEF) Modulates Yes Associated Protein 1 (YAP1) in Prostate Cancer Cells: A Potential Cross-Talk between PDEF and Hippo Signaling.

PDEF (prostate-derived ETS factor, also known as SAM-pointed domain containing ETS transcription factor (SPDEF)) is expressed in luminal epithelial cells of the prostate gland and associates with luminal phenotype. The Hippo pathway regulates cell growth/proliferation, cellular homeostasis, and organ development by modulating phosphorylation of its downstream effectors. In previous studies, we observed decreased levels of PDEF during prostate cancer progression.

Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 4 Gamma 1 (EIF4G1): a target for cancer therapeutic intervention?

Background: Cap-dependent mRNA translation is essential for the translation of key oncogenic proteins at optimal levels and is highly regulated by the rate limiting, initiation step in protein synthesis. Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 4 Gamma 1 (EIF4G1) serves as a scaffold for assembly of cap-dependent translation components in EIF4F complex formation. In the current study, we analyzed the role and expression of EIF4G1 in Pan human cancer panels through various approaches.

Protocadherin 7 is overexpressed in castration resistant prostate cancer and promotes aberrant MEK and AKT signaling.

Background: Castrate resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) accounts for almost all prostate cancer (PCa) deaths. Aberrant activation of ERK/MEK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways plays an important role in subsets of patients with CRPC. The role of protocadherin 7 (PCDH7) in modulating these signaling pathways is investigated for the first time in PCa in the present investigation.

The TLK1-Nek1 axis promotes prostate cancer progression.

We recently uncovered the critical TLK1>NEK1>ATR > Chk1 axis in mediating the DDR and cell cycle checkpoint while transiting from Androgen Sensitive to Insensitive growth for LNCaP and TRAMP-C2 cells. However, we did not know the generality of this pathway in PCa progression since there are few cell lines where the transition has been studied. Furthermore, the identification of Nek1, and more importantly the TLK-mediated phosphorylation of T141, has never been studied in PCa biopsies.

Reactive oxygen species and cancer: A complex interaction.

Elevated levels of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), increased antioxidant ability and the maintenance of redox homeostasis can cumulatively contribute to tumor progression and metastasis. The sources and the role of ROS in a heterogeneous tumor microenvironment can vary at different stages of tumor: initiation, development, and progression, thus making it a complex subject. In this review, we have summarized the sources of ROS generation in cancer cells, its role in the tumor microenvironment, the possible functions of ROS and its important scavenger systems in tumor progression with special emphasis on solid tumors.