Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy is used to treat a wide range of cancers; however, some patients are at risk of developing treatment resistance and/or immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Thus, there is a great need for the identification of reliable predictive biomarkers for response and toxicity. The cytokine MIF (macrophage migration inhibitory factor) and its cognate receptor CD74 are intimately connected with cancer progression and have previously been proposed as prognostic biomarkers for patient outcome in various cancers, including solid tumors such as malignant melanoma.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHealthy human skin tissue is often used as a control for comparison to diseased skin in patients with skin pathologies, including skin cancers or other inflammatory conditions such as atopic dermatitis or psoriasis. Although non-affected skin from these patients is a more appropriate choice for comparison, there is a paucity of studies examining such tissue. This lack is exacerbated by the difficulty of processing skin tissue for experimental analysis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe past decade has seen numerous advancements in approaches to melanoma detection, each with the common goal to stem the growing incidence of melanoma and its mortality rate. These advancements, while well documented to increase early melanoma detection, have also garnered considerable criticism of their efficacy for improving survival rates. In this review, we discuss the current state of such early detection approaches that do not require direct dermatologist intervention.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMany critical life processes are regulated by input from 24-hour external light/dark cycles, such as metabolism, cellular homeostasis, and detoxification. The circadian clock, which helps coordinate the response to these diurnal light/dark cycles, remains rhythmic across lifespan; however, rhythmic transcript expression is altered during normal aging. To better understand how aging impacts diurnal expression, we present an improved Fourier-based method for detecting and visualizing rhythmicity that is based on the relative power of the 24-hour period compared to other periods (RP24).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFrostbite is a high morbidity injury caused by soft tissue freezing, which can lead to digit necrosis requiring amputation. Rapid rewarming is a first-line treatment method that involves placing affected digits into a warm water bath. This study aims to assess the clinical practices for frostbite at facilities outside of dedicated burn centers, and any impact these practices have on tissue salvage.
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