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Abstract Background A candidate oncogene GIG47, previously known as a neudesin with a neurotrophic activity, was identified by applying the differential expression analysis method. Methods As a first step to understand the molecular role of GIG47, we analyzed the expression profile of GIG47 in multiple human cancers including the breast cancer and characterized its function related to human carcinogenesis. Based on this oncogenic role of GIG47, we then embarked on determining the high-resolution structure of GIG47. We have applied multidimensional heteronuclear NMR methods to GIG47. Results GIG47 was over-expressed in primary breast tumors as well as other human tumors including carcinomas of the uterine cervix, malignant lymphoma, colon, lung, skin, and leukemia. To establish its role in the pathogenesis of breast cancer in humans, we generated stable transfectants of MCF7 cells. The ectopic expression of GIG47 in MCF7 cells promoted the invasiveness in the presence of 50% serum. In addition, it also resulted in the increased tumorigenicity in in vivo tumor formation assay. The tumorigenesis mechanism involving GIG47 might be mediated by the activation of MAPK and PI3K pathways. These results indicate that GIG47 plays a role in the breast tumorigenesis, thus representing a novel target for the treatment of breast cancer. To facilitate the development of GIG47-targeted therapeutics, we determined the structural configuration of GIG47. The high-resolution structure of GIG47 was obtained by combination of NMR and homology modeling. The overall structure of GIG47 has four α-helices and 6 β-strands, arranged in a β1-α1-β2-β3-α2-β4-α3-α4-β5-β6 topology. There is a potential heme/steroid binding pocket formed between two helices α2 and α3. Conclusion The determined three-dimensional structure of GIG47 may facilitate the development of potential anti-cancer agents.

Abstract Background Cell transdifferentiation is characterized by loss of some phenotypes along with acquisition of new phenotypes in differentiated cells. The differentiated state of a given cell is not irreversible. It depends on the up- and downregulation exerted by specific molecules. Results We report here that HCCR-1, previously shown to play an oncogenic role in human cancers, induces epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET) in human and mouse, respectively. The stem cell factor receptor CD117/c-Kit was induced in this transdifferentiated (EMT) sarcoma tissues. This MET occurring in HCCR-1 transfected cells is reminiscent of the transdifferentiation process during nephrogenesis. Indeed, expression of HCCR-1 was observed during the embryonic development of the kidney. This suggests that HCCR-1 might be involved in the transdifferentiation process of cancer stem cell. Conclusions Therefore, we propose that HCCR-1 may be a regulatory factor that stimulates morphogenesis of epithelia or mesenchyme during neoplastic transformation.

Background: With the global sunscreen market expected to reach $24.4 billion worldwide by 2029, this demonstrates the increasing awareness of the damaging effects of sunlight. Sunscreen has been gradually evolving, and new photoprotective ingredients are continuing to be produced in response to growing scientific evidence on the effect of solar radiation on the skin. Aims: This literature review aims to provide an updated view of the history of sunscreens. Methods: A literature search was conducted with the keywords "Sunscreen, history, regulation, ultraviolet A, ultraviolet B, visible light" from PubMed, Medline, and online search engines. Results: Humankind has always found ways to provide photoprotection since 4000BC. Only in the last century, evidence‐based sunscreens have existed. The first ultraviolet B filters were produced in 1928, its evidence of efficacy and safety discovered in 1956 and development of sun protection factor in 1974. Similarly, sunscreen containing ultraviolet A filters was released in 1980 and the ultraviolet A star rating system developed in 1992. Regulatory bodies for sunscreen were introduced in the 1970s and have sought to review the safety and efficacy of ingredients. With the rising number of researches on the effects of visible light on hyperpigmentation over the past decade, the need for photoprotection beyond ultraviolet has been increasing. Conclusion: To provide consumers with evidence‐based sunscreen, challenges remain in acquiring further evidence, regulation, and rating systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) occurs as a result of different inflammatory dermatoses and exogenous factors in individuals with darker skin types. With current skin lightening treatments, there are concerns about irritation leading to worsening of their underlying inflammatory skin condition or worsening of PIH. Case: A 20‐year‐old woman with Fitzpatrick skin type (FST) V presented with facial hyperpigmented patches since childhood following an intermittent erythematous, pruritic facial rash. Skin biopsy confirmed PIH secondary to possible burnt‐out morphea. Treatment with topical adapalene 0.1% gel and triple combination cream (containing hydroquinone, topical corticosteroids, and retinoids) proved unsuccessful. Treatment with cysteamine 5% cream over 4 months resulted in significant improvement with a reduction in the melanin index. Discussion: The current recommendation for first‐line treatment in PIH is hydroquinone or triple combination cream containing hydroquinone, which can be associated with significant short‐ and long‐term side effects. Cysteamine 5% cream is one of the latest cosmetic skin lightening products. It is hypothesized that cysteamine reduces melanin production by inhibiting key melanogenic enzymes required in melanogenesis. Its efficacy and tolerability have been demonstrated in two randomized controlled trials against placebo in patients with melasma. This report demonstrates a successful use of cysteamine 5% cream in a patient with chronic severe PIH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has largely ignored the question of whether watching reality weight-loss TV shows influences viewers to form a negative obesity stereotype. This study examines antecedents and outcomes of watchingThe Biggest Loserwith the Orientation1–Stimulus–Orientation2–Response (O-S-O-R) model. The study found that individuals who are more concerned with their weight (O1) watch more episodes ofThe Biggest Loser(S). Meanwhile, consumption ofThe Biggest Loserleads to greater perceived locus of weight control (O2), indicating that body weight is under personal control. Perceived locus of weight control, in turn, significantly predicts the attribution of obesity to personal responsibility (R). Ultimately, attributing obesity to personal responsibility leads to the formation of anti-fat attitudes (R). This study offers an integrative theoretical framework to investigate media effects on the formation of an obesity stigma by using the O-S-O-R model. The results imply that certain lifestyle transformation media, such asThe Biggest Loser,might reinforce the notion that individuals control their own weight and thus further amplify the obesity stigma. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The differential expression profiling with breast normal and tumor tissues, and a breast cancer cell line led to identification of cytokeratin 18 (KT18) gene over-expressed in breast cancer. The expression pattern of KT18 in breast cancer was compared to those of conventional tumor markers such as proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and minichromosome maintenance protein 3 (MCM3). Their expression patterns in breast cancer were almost identical, suggesting that KT18 might be useful for detection of proliferating fractions in the breast cancer. The immunohistochemical analyses on the tissue microarray consisting of invasive ductal carcinomas revealed that the up-regulation of KT18 is observed in a majority of breast carcinomas whereas its down-regulation also occurs at a less frequency. Of particular interest, KT18 down-regulation was associated with histologically poorly differentiated carcinomas than well differentiated carcinomas. In addition, it was also significantly associated with the loss of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR), the prognostic markers of the breast cancer (P < 0.05), while not with HER2, tumor size, and lymph node metastasis. This result suggests that KT18 correlated with ER and PR may be utilized for the prognosis of breast cancer. Furthermore, the forced down-regulation of KT18 enhanced the growth of tumor xenografts in vivo and invasiveness in vitro. Therefore, our findings suggest that loss of KT18 expression might be a good indicator of the poor prognosis of the breast cancer and it may play an active role in the breast tumorigenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines (1) how the topics of obesity are framed and (2) how obese persons are portrayed on YouTube video clips. The analysis of 417 obesity videos revealed that a newer medium like YouTube, similar to traditional media, appeared to assign responsibility and solutions for obesity mainly to individuals and their behaviors, although there was a tendency that some video categories have started to show other causal claims or solutions. However, due to the prevailing emphasis on personal causes and solutions, numerous YouTube videos had a theme of weight-based teasing, or showed obese persons engaging in stereotypical eating behaviors. We discuss a potential impact of YouTube videos on shaping viewers' perceptions about obesity and further reinforcing stigmatization of obese persons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates antecedents and outcomes of entertainment television consumption in organ donation with the Orientation1-Stimulus-Orientation2-Response (O1-S-O2 -R) model. It reveals that organ donation knowledge seems significantly related to recall of entertainment television programs and attitudes toward organ donation. Meanwhile, recall of entertainment television programs significantly predicts people's perception of medical mistrust, which in turn negatively predicts attitudes toward organ donation, while attitudes toward organ donation significantly predict behavioral intention in signing a donor card. It also suggests significant mediation relationships among the pre-orientation variable, stimulus, post-orientation variable, and attitudinal and behavioral outcomes. This study provides an integrative theoretical framework to study media effects on organ donation and empirical evidence for 'entertainment miseducation' (Morgan, Harrison, Chewning, Davis, & DiCorcia, 2007). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the growing interest in Alzheimer's disease, issues of ethnicity and culture associated with dementia are still under-studied. In this study, particular attention was given to Korean caregivers who seem to suffer the most in terms of family burdens and emotional distress. Content analysis was performed on 798 messages posted to online support groups for dementia caregivers. The results indicated that Korean caregivers expressed more family burden (“impact on finance” and “sense of entrapment”) than U.S. caregivers. Also, the Korean caregivers expressed more negative emotions than the U.S. caregivers, and consequently sought more emotional support from online support groups than the U.S. caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate a theoretical explanation of the mechanism of sharing negative attitudes and how it can have an impact on forming attitudes toward the targets and impressions about partners who engage in sharing attitudes. One hundred and fourteen university students were assigned to dyadic interactions with strangers and were asked to share positive, negative, or equally valenced aspects of a target topic. Findings indicated that sharing a negative attitude had significantly more capacity to change attitudes about a target in a negative direction than did sharing a mixed or a positive attitude. Sharing a negative attitude did not increase liking of one's partner. The practical implications and future directions of studying the Negativity Effect and interpersonal behavior are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Even a penny will help!" is a donation solicitor's effort in legitimating paltry donations in hopes of gaining higher compliance. This study reexamined the effect of Legitimization of Paltry Donation (LPD) in combination with Social Proof (SP) strategy. Participants were given one of four donation soliciting messages: simple request (control), LPD, SP, and LPD/SP. Compliance rate and size were examined through both the survey experiment and the field experiment. The LPD/SP condition yielded the highest rate of compliance both in the survey and field studies, followed by the LPD condition, the SP condition, and the control condition. As for the donation amount, results were not consistent across the two studies. Implications and limitations of the study were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated whether spiritual beliefs offered any explanation for why participants from Korea (N = 146), Japan (N = 134), and the United States (N = 146) were willing or reluctant to register as organ donors. A culturally appropriate measure of spiritual beliefs about organ donation, the Spiritual Beliefs Scale, was developed consisting of 2 factors: (a) Spiritual Connection and (b) Spiritual Concern. Spiritual Connection was a significant predictor of behavioral intention to become an organ donor for Korean respondents, whereas Spiritual Concern was a significant predictor of reluctance to become an organ donor for American respondents. Spiritual beliefs correlated as predicted with attitude toward organ donation and fear of bodily mutilation, showing that the Spiritual Beliefs Scale exhibited internal, external, and predictive validity. Across the 3-country sample, Spiritual Connection was associated with greater willingness to become an organ donor for women, whereas Spiritual Concern inhibited participation for men. Implications of these findings are discussed for developing culturally effective education and procurement campaigns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prioritisation of National Health Service (NHS) resources to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on dermatology services. The consequences of the pandemic on the care of patients with primary cutaneous lymphoma (CL) in the U.K. is unknown. To examine the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on patients enrolled in the prospective registration and data collection study for newly diagnosed patients with all stages of MF/SS 'PROCLIPI (PROspective Cutaneous Lymphoma International Prognostic Index) Study'. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was assessed by comparing the pre-COVID clinical stage (TNMB stage, mSWAT score, global response assessment) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL (Skindex-29) prior to and 4.5 (4.0-5.6) months after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. A specific COVID-19 dataset was used to capture the impact of the pandemic on study participants. PROCLIPI study visit data was analysed in 75 patients with a mean (±SD) age of 65.19 (±14.31) years with a male: female ratio of 1.4:1. 61 patients had early stage (IA, n=41; IB, n=17 and IIA, n=3) and 14 had late-stage disease (IIB, n=3; IIIA, n=4; IIIB, n=1; IVA1, n=3 and IVA2, n=3) of whom 70 had MF and five SS. Global response assessment was possible in 40 patients. 17.1% (n=7) had an overall response (CR=1; PR=6), 43.9% (n=18) stable disease and 39% (n=16) progressive disease. The mean (±SEM) time to disease progression was 13.82 (±1.22) months and the median (IQR) mSWAT score increased from 7.25 (0.85–30.25) to 26.4 (2.6–41.78), p=0.08. 12 patients had missed/delayed treatments (phototherapy, n=5; radiotherapy, n=1; topical skin direct therapy, n=3; extracorporeal photopheresis, n=1; investigational medicinal product, n=2). We found no quantitative differences in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) using Skindex-29 (n=75) however 40.6% of patients rated the pandemic as having a moderate to severe impact on their QoL. COVID-19 risk group stratification identified 16.7% of patients with high risk and 54.5% of patients with moderate risk features for severe illness from the virus. Five patients developed COVID-19 illness and one with advanced disease (SS, Stage IVA2) in a high-risk COVID-19 group died. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the care of patients with CL. From March 2020 all CL clinics were cancelled, clinical trials were suspended and only emergency appointments permitted. Further work comparing progression status in a matched cohort from 2015 and 2016 will further assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in CL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]