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ABSTRACT. Prostate cancer is one of the most common male malignant neoplasms; however, its causes are not completely understood. A few recent studies have used gene expression profiling of prostate cancer to identify differentially expressed genes and possible relevant pathways. However, few studies have examined the genetic mechanics of prostate cancer at the pathway level to search for such pathways. We used gene set enrichment analysis and a meta-analysis of six independent studies after standardized microarray preprocessing, which increased concordance between these gene datasets. Based on gene set enrichment analysis, there were 12 down-and 25 up-regulated mixing pathways in more than two tissue datasets, while there were two down-and two up-regulated mixing pathways in three cell datasets. Based on the meta-analysis, there were 46 and nine common pathways in the tissue and cell datasets, respectively. Three up-and 10 down-regulated crossing pathways were detected with combined gene set enrichment analysis and meta-analysis. We found that genes with small changes are difficult to detect by classic univariate statistics; they can more easily be identified by pathway analysis. After standardized microarray preprocessing, we applied gene set enrichment analysis and a meta-analysis to increase the concordance in identifying biological mechanisms involved in prostate cancer. The gene pathways that we identified could provide insight concerning the development of prostate cancer.

Familial aggregation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide, has shown to be a common phenomenon. We investigated the association between the genetic background and HCC familial aggregation. Serum samples were collected from HCC family members and normal control family members for screening the differentially expressed protein peaks with the approach of surface-enhanced laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Potential genetically associated protein peaks were selected and further identified by matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry. A panel of six protein peaks (m/z 6432. 94, 8478.35, 9381.91, 17284.67, 17418.34, and 18111.04) were speculated to reflect the genetic susceptibility of HCC familial aggregation. Three of them (m/z 6432.94, 8478.35, and 9381.91) were selected to identify as the candidate proteins. Nine identified proteins, including mostly apolipoprotein family (ApoA1, ApoA2, ApoC3, ApoE) and serum amyloid A protein (SAA), were found overexpressed in the multiple HCC cases family members. The comparative proteomic profiles have suggested that genetic factors ought to be taken into account for familial aggregation of HCC. (Cancer Sci 2012; 103: 1833-1838 H epatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers, and ranks the third cause of cancer related death in the world (9.2% of the total).(1,2) Among different geographical regions, large variation of morbidity and risk factors were observed, with the highest rate in Asian, and lowest rate in the US as well as Europe countries.(3,4) Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and chronic exposure to aflatoxin play crucial roles in hepatocarcinogenesis among Asian people, while fatty liver disease and high consumption of alcohol are the dominant causes among low incidence regions.(5,6) The HCC incidence rate is remarkably high in China, accounting for approximately 55% of annual new cases in the world.(7) Particularly in Guangxi province of China, an endemic area of HBV infection, the HCC mortality has risen as the first cause of malignant cancer-relative death. (8) It is well-accepted that HBV infection constitutes the main etiological factor of HCC, while the process of hepatocarcinogenesis integrates multi-stages and multi-factors, including interactions of HBV, chemical carcinogen, and genetic susceptibility.(9) In addiction, the literature conveys that the lifetime risk of developing HCC for HBV infected individuals has been estimated to be 40%, (10) implying that a wide individual discrepancy exists in the HCC susceptibility, and that environmental factors alone are insufficient to fully address the familial aggregation of HCC. (11,12) We have observed that most HCC occurs obviously in clusters by geographical distribution or by family aggregation in Guangxi, China. Family aggregation of HCC has received researchers' attention for decades. Pedigree studies are frequently carried out to val...

Background Nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) disease is commonly an opportunistic infection frequently found in immunocompromised individuals, but sometimes can also be found in the immunocompetent hosts, especially in East Asians. The NTM separation rate in China is increasing, which reminds us to focus on NTM infections in immunocompromised populations. Case presentation A 43-year-old woman with a recurrent fever for more than 8-month and a right forehead surgical wounds unhealed for more than 6-month was admitted to our hospital on February 22, 2018. On arrival, several elliptic ulcers were obvious on the right forehead with pus and fibrin exudation, and the skin around the lesions was tender, reddish, no sense of fluctuation. The result of HIV serology test was negative. CD4+ T cell count was normal and tuberculosis antibody was negative. CT of the chest and head showed bone destruction. Skin biopsy on the right forehead was performed on March 13, 2018, and pathological examination of the excisional biopsy specimen found inflammatory granuloma and suppurative inflammatory changes. Broad-spectrum antibiotics were treated but the effect seemed discontent. Then debridement and skin grafting were performed on the right frontal ulcer under general anesthesia on April 3, 2018. The skin tissue culture that resected on March 13, 2018 found Nontuberculous mycobacteria grown after 78 days, so clarithromycin, ethambutol, protionamide, and amoxicillin clavulanate potassium were prescribed for anti-nontuberculous mycobacteria treatment beginning on May 31, 2018. In reviewing the case, Mycobacterium avium ( M. avium ) was identified in the skin tissue resected on April 3, 2018 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the serum test of anti-interferon-γ autoantibodies was positive. Conclusions This is a case report of “ Mycobacterium avium SSTI (skin and soft tissue infection) and OM (osteomyelitis) with possible secondary immunodeficiency syndrome induced by anti-interferon-γ autoantibody”.