Tissue microarrays in pathological examination of apoptotic acinar cells induced by dexamethasone in the pancreas of rats with severe acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND: The good therapeutic effects of large dose of dexamethasone on severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) patients have been proved. This study was designed to investigate the influence of dexamethasone on apoptosis of acinar cells in the pancreas of rats with SAP and the protein expression of the apoptosis-regulating genes Bax and Bcl-2. METHODS: Ninety Sprague-Dawley rats with SAP were randomly divided into a model group and a dexamethasone treated group (45 rats in each group), and another 45 rats formed the sham operation group. Survival rates were calculated and gross pathological changes in the pancreas of each group were observed under a light microscope 3, 6 and 12 hours after operation. Tissue microarray technology was applied to prepare pancreatic tissue sections. The changes in Bax and Bcl-2 protein expression levels of pancreatic tissues from each group were assessed by immunohistochemical staining, and TUNEL staining was used to evaluate changes in apoptosis index. RESULTS: The model and treated groups did not differ in mortality at each time point. The pathological score for the pancreas in the treated group was significantly lower than that in the model group at 3 and 6 hours. The positive rates of Bax protein expression in the head and tail of the pancreas in the treated group at all time points were all markedly higher than those of the model group. The positive rate of Bcl-2 protein expression in the head of the pancreas in the treated group was significantly higher than that of the model group at 3 hours. TUNEL staining showed that the pancreas head and tail apoptosis indices of the treated group were markedly higher than those of the model group after 6 hours. CONCLUSIONS: Apoptosis may be a protective response. to pancreatic cell injury. The mechanism of action of dexamethasone in treating SAP may be related to the apoptosis of acinar cells in the pancreas induced by apoptosis-regulating genes such as Bax and Bcl-2. The advantages of tissue microarrays in pathological examination of the pancreas include saving of time and energy, efficiency and highly representative.

Expression of p53, p16 and COX-2 in pancreatic cancer with tissue microarray

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cancer development and progression is driven by the accumulation of genetic changes. In this study we constructed tissue microarray containing specimens from pancreatic cancer, adjacent non-cancer tissue and normal tissue to survey the expression of p53, p16 and cyclooxyganase-2 (COX-2). METHODS: Tissue microarray containing 337 specimens from different stages of pancreatic cancer, adjacent noncancer tissue and normal tissues was constructed, and the expression of p53, p16 and COX-2 was assayed by immunohistochemistry to consecutive formalin-fixed tissue microarray sections. RESULTS: The expression of p53, p16 and COX-2 was significantly higher in tumorous tissues than in non-tumorons ones. A significant relationship was observed between p53 and COX-2, or p16 and COX-2. But no obvious correlation was seen between p53 and p16 expressions. Logistic regression analysis showed p53 and COX-2 as dependent predictors in pancreatic carcinogenesis, and a reciprocal relationship to neoplastic progression between p53 and COX-2. CONCLUSION: Combination analysis of p53 and COX-2 may be useful in predicting pancreatic carcinogenesis.

EXPRESSION OF SURVIVIN,PTEN AND BFGF IN LUNG CANCER PROGRESSION TISSUE MICROARRAY

To investigate the expressions of survivin, PTEN and bFGF in lung cancer and precancerous lesion by tissue microarray technology. Methods: The expressions of Survivin, PTEN and bFGF were detected in 89 primary lung cancers, 12 lung cancers with lymph node metastasis, 12 precancerous lesions of lung by an immunohistochemical method, and 10 normal lung tissues were used as controls. Results: The expression of Survivin and bFGF protein were 57.3% and 66.3% in 89 primary lung cancer respectively, significantly higher than the control group (P<0.05). The positive ratio of PTEN was 42.7% in primary lung cancer, significantly lower than that of nornmal tissue (90.0%)(P<0.05). The expressions of Survivin and bFGF were significantly related to lymph node metastasis and clinical stages. The expression of PTEN was related to differentiations, lymph node metastasis and clinical stages (P<0.05). There was a negative correlation between expressions of Survivin and PTEN, a positive correlation between expressions of Survivin and bGFG (P<0.01). Conclusion: Survivin, PTEN and bFGF proteins may be related to the pathogenesis, progression and malignant behavious of lung cancer, and there are some relationships between expressions of Survivin, PTEN and bFGF. Survivin, PTEN and bFGF may play a role in prognosis assessment of lung cancer.

DETECTING EXPRESSION OF MRP-1/CD9 mRNA IN LUNG CANCERS USING TISSUE MICROARRAYS AND FLUORESCENCE IN SITU HYBRIDIZATION METHODS

Objective： The aim of this study was to investigate the MRP-1/CD9mRNA expression in lung cancer and normal lung tissues and the relationship between its expression and pathologic grades, clinical stages, metastasis and prognosis. Methods： To observe MRP-1/C9mRNA expression, tissue microarray （TMA） containing 54 lung cancers and 10 normal lung tissues was prepared and Fluorescence in situ hybridization was used. Results： The positive rate of MRP-1/CD9 expression was 48.1% in lung cancer, lower than that of normal lung tissues. The statistical difference was significant （P〈0.05）. Its protein expression had no relationship with the patients＇ ages, sex and the macroscopic type of tumor, but had relationships with the histological type, clinical stage, differentiated degree and metastasis. The expression in non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC） was higher than that in small cell lung cancer （SCLC）; in well-moderately differentiated group was higher than that in poorly differentiated group; Earlier period group （I＋II） was higher than in later period group （Ⅲ＋Ⅳ）; and in group without lymphoid metastasis was higher than in patients with lymphoid metastasis. Conclusion： The progression of the lung cancer maybe related with the descended MRP-1/Cd9 expression, which may be useful in evaluating the prognosis of cancer patients.

ADVANTAGES AND APPLICATIONS OF TISSUE MICROARRAY TECHNOLOGY ON CANCER RESEARCH

S To provide evidences for exploiting tissue microarray (TMA) technology, we reviewed advantages and applications of TMA on tumor research. TMA has many advantages, including (1) section from TMA blocks can be utilized for the simultaneous analysis of up to 1,000 different tumors at DNA, RNA or protein level; (2) TMA is highly representative of their donor tissues; (3) TMA can improve conservation of tissue resources and experimental reagents, improve internal experimental control, and increase sample numbers per experiment, and can be used for large-scale, massively parallel in situ analysis; (4) TMA facilitates rapid translation of molecular discoveries to clinical applications. TMA has been applied to tumor research, such as glioma, breast tumor, lung cancer and so on. The development of novel biochip technologies has opened up new possibilities for the high-throughput molecular profiling of human tumors. Novel molecular markers emerging from high-throughput expression surveys could be analyzed on tumor TMA. It is anticipated that TMA, a new member of biochip, will soon become a widely used tool for all types of tissue-based research. TMA will lead to a significant acceleration of the transition of basic research findings into clinical applications.

Biological Significance and the Related Molecular Mechanism of Ets1 mRNA Expression in Lung Cancer by Tissue Microarray(TMA)

Objective： To investigate the expressions and proteins in the pathogenesis, progression of lung molecular mechanism of Ets-1 mRNA, and TGFβ1 and c-Met cancer by tissue microarray （TMA） method. Methods： The expressions of Ets-1 mRNA, and TGFβ1 and c-Met proteins were detected in 89 primary lung cancers, 12 lung cancer with lymph-node metastasis and 12 precancerous lesions by FISH（fluorescence in situ hybridization） and immunohistochemical method, and 10 normal lung tissues were used as controls. Results： The expressions of Ets-1 rnRNA, and TGFβ1 and c-Met proteins were significantly higher in 89 primary lung cancer than in the control group （P〈0.05）. The expressions of Ets-1 mRNA, and TGFβ1 and c-Met proteins were related to lymph node metastasis and clinical stages. There was a positive correlation between the Ets-1 mRNA expression and TGFβ1 and c-Met proteins （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Ets-1 mRNA, TGFβ1 and c-Met proteins may be related to the pathogenesis, progression and malignant behavior of lung cancer. They may play an important role in prognosis assessment of lung cancer.

Expression of Elk-1 in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Detected by Western Blot and Tissue Microarray

Objective： The aim of this study was to investigate the Elk-1 （Ets like transcription factor-1） expression in non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC） and normal lung tissues and the relationship between its expression and clinicopathological characters. Methods： To observe Elk-1 expression, western blot and immunochemistry （IHC） on tissue microarray （TMA） containing 118 lung cancers and their corresponding normal tissues were used. Results： In western blot and IHC on TMA, Elk-1 was highly expressed in NSCLC, while its expression was almost undetectable in normal lung tissues. Elk- 1 expression in NSCLC had no relationship with the patients＇ age, gender, smoking status and histological type, but had relationship with the differentiation degree, clinical stages and lymphonode metastasis. The expression was lower in early stage group （Ⅰ＋Ⅱ） than in advanced stage group （Ⅲ）, and lower in well-moderately differentiated group than in poorly differentiated group. The same trend was seen with lymphonode metastasis. Conclusion： The progression of NSCLC may be related with the increased Elk-1 expression, and Elk-1 may be regarded as a prognostic factor for NSCLC tissues.

Correlation between molecular biomarkers and risk factors for the clinical progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia using tissue microarray immunostaining

Background The pathogenesis of benign prostatic hyperplasia （BPH） has been widely studied,and several biomarkers are known to play roles in its development.This study aimed to investigate the possible role of cysteine-rich protein 61 （CYR61）,vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）,androgen receptor （AR）,interleukin-6 （IL-6）,cytochrome c,caspase-3,and proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA） in the clinical progression of BPH.Methods Tissue specimens from 96 BPH cases who underwent transurethral resection of the prostate were processed and transferred to tissue microarrays.Patient age,prostate volume,serum prostate-specific antigen （PSA） level,and International Prostate Symptom Score （IPSS） of all BPH cases were collected before surgery.The expression of CYR61,VEGF,AR,IL-6,cytochrome c,caspase-3,and PCNA was examined by immunostaining in the BPH specimens,and any possible correlation between the different biomarkers and risk factors for BPH clinical progression was analyzed.Results The expression of CYR61,VEGF,AR,IL-6,cytochrome c,caspase-3,and PCNA in the BPH cases was 68.8％ （66/96）,77.1％ （74/96）,43.8％ （42/96）,31.3％ （30/96）,35.4％ （34/96）,56.3％ （54/96）,and 29.2％ （28/96）,respectively.The expression of both CYR61 and VEGF was positively correlated with patient age,prostate volume,and serum PSA level （P ＜0.05）.Furthermore,cytochrome c and caspase-3 expression were inversely related to prostate volume （P ＜0.05）,and AR expression was positively related to serum PSA level （P ＜0.05）.Conclusion CYR61 and VEGF expression might serve as biomarkers for predicting the clinical progression of BPH due to effects on stromal cell proliferation and angiogenesis.

Mismatch repair, minichromosome maintenance complex component 2, cyclin A, and transforming growth factor β receptor type Ⅱ as prognostic factors for colorectal cancer： results of a 10-year prospective study using tissue microarray analysis

Background The expression of genes encoding a number of pathogenetic pathways involved in colorectal cancer could potentially act as prognostic markers. Large prospective studies are required to establish their relevance to disease prognosis.Methods We investigated the relevance of 19 markers in 790 patients enrolled in a large randomised trial of 5-fluorouracil using immunohistochemistry and chromogenic in situ hybridisation. The relationship between overall 10-year survival and marker status was assessed.Results Minichromosome maintenance complex component 2 （MCM2） and cyclin A were significantly associated with overall survival. Elevated MCM2 expression was associated with a better prognosis （HR=0.63, 95%CI： 0.46-0.86）.Cyclin A expression above the median predicted an improved patient prognosis （HR=0.71, 95%CI： 0.53-0.95）. For mismatch repair deficiency and transforming growth factor β receptor type Ⅱ （TGFBRII） overexpression there was a borderline association with a poorer prognosis （HR=0.69, 95%C/： 0.46-1.04 and HR=2.11, 95%CI： 1.02-4.40,respectively）. No apparent associations were found for other markers.Conclusion This study identified cell proliferation and cyclin A expression as prognostic indicators of patient outcome in colorectal cancer.

Expression of glycoprotein non-metastatic melanoma protein B in cutaneous malignant and benign lesions： a tissue microarray study

Background Glycoprotein non-metastatic melanoma protein B （GPNMB） plays an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory and malignant diseases. We investigated the expression of GPNMB in benign and malignant skin diseases. Methods Tissue microarray was performed in the skin tissues of 102 cases including malignant melanoma （MM）, squamous cell carcinoma （SCC）, basal cell carcinoma （BCC）, and benign dermatosis. The expression of GPNMB in the tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry. Twenty cases of normal skin and adjacent neoplastic normal skin tissues were selected as controls. Results GPNMB was positively stained in skin malignancies （38/50, 76%）, which was significantly higher than that in the control and the benign skin tissues （P=0.001 and 〈0.001 respectively）. GPNMB was positively stained in MM （13/15, 87%） and SCC （16/20, 80%） （P 〈0.001）. Significant higher expression of GPNMB was observed in patients aged 〉65 years than those less than 65 years （n=11 and n=9 respectively, P=0.027）. No significant difference of the expression rates was observed between normal control and BCC; however, stronger intensity was detected in the latter. Negative or weak expression was observed in the controls. Conclusion Over-expression of GPNMB correlated strongly and might play an important role in the pathogenesis of MM and SCC.

Assessment of XAF1 as A Biomarker to Differentiate Hepatocellular Carcinoma from Nonneoplastic Liver Tissues

Objective： XIAP-associated factor 1 （XAF1） expression has been shown to be related with apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）. However, the correlation of XAF1 expression with HCC tumor grade has not been intensively assessed. XIAP-associated factor-1 （XAF1） is an important apoptosis inducer in human HCC. The aim of this study is to determine the correlation between XAF1 expression and HCC histopathological grades. Methods： The mRNA levels of XAF1 in 24 paired HCC-nonneoplastic specimens were quantified by real-time reverse transcription PCR （RT-PCR）. Protein levels of XAF1 in 110 paired HCC-noncancer tissues were investigated by immunostaining specimens on a tissue microarray （TMA）. Correlations between XAF1 mRNA levels or protein expression and clinicopathological features were assessed by statistical analysis. Results： Both XAF1 mRNA and protein were significantly under-expressed in HCC tissues compared to their non-neoplastic counterparts. No significant relationship was found between XAF1 mRNA or protein expression and histological tumor grade. Conclusion： All these data suggest that XAF1 is a potential biomarker for differentiating HCC with noncancerous tissues.

An Optimal Lempel Ziv Markov Based Microarray Image Compression Algorithm

In the recent years,microarray technology gained attention for concurrent monitoring of numerous microarray images.It remains a major challenge to process,store and transmit such huge volumes of microarray images.So,image compression techniques are used in the reduction of number of bits so that it can be stored and the images can be shared easily.Various techniques have been proposed in the past with applications in different domains.The current research paper presents a novel image compression technique i.e.,optimized Linde–Buzo–Gray(OLBG)with Lempel Ziv Markov Algorithm(LZMA)coding technique called OLBG-LZMA for compressing microarray images without any loss of quality.LBG model is generally used in designing a local optimal codebook for image compression.Codebook construction is treated as an optimizationissue and can be resolved with the help of Grey Wolf Optimization(GWO)algorithm.Once the codebook is constructed by LBGGWO algorithm,LZMA is employed for the compression of index table and raise its compression efficiency additionally.Experiments were performed on high resolution Tissue Microarray(TMA)image dataset of 50 prostate tissue samples collected from prostate cancer patients.The compression performance of the proposed coding esd compared with recently proposed techniques.The simulation results infer that OLBG-LZMA coding achieved a significant compression performance compared to other techniques.

High expression of the circadian clock gene NPAS2 is associated with progression and poor prognosis of gastric cancer:A singlecenter study

BACKGROUND The prognostic assessment of patients after surgical resection of gastric cancer(GC)patients is critical.However,the role of the circadian clock gene NPAS2 expression in GC remains unknown.AIM To explore the relationship between NPAS2 and the survival prognosis of GC patients and clarify its role in evaluating GC prognosis.METHODS The tumor tissues and clinical data of 101 patients with GC were collected retrospectively.Immunohistochemical staining(IHC)was used to detect the expression of NPAS2 protein in GC and adjacent tissues.Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to determine the independent prognostic factors of GC,and a nomogram prediction model was established.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,the ROC area under the curve,the calibration curve,and C-index were used to evaluate the predictive effectiveness of the model.Kaplan Meier analysis was used to compare the risk stratification of subgroups according to the median score in the nomogram model of each patient.RESULTS Microarray IHC analysis showed that the positive rate of NPAS2 protein expression in GC tissues was 65.35%,which was significantly higher than 30.69%in adjacent tissues.The high expression of NPAS2 was correlated with tumor-node-metastasis(TNM)stage(P<0.05),pN stage(P<0.05),metastasis(P<0.05),venous invasion(P<0.05),lymphatic invasion(P<0.05),and lymph node positive(P<0.05)of GC.Kaplan Meier survival analysis showed that the 3-year overall survival(OS)of patients with high NPAS2 expression was significantly shortened(P<0.0001).Univariate and multivariate COX regression analysis showed that TNM stage(P=0.009),metastasis(P=0.009),and NPAS2 expression(P=0.020)were independent prognostic factors of OS in GC patients for 3 years.The nomogram prediction model based on independent prognostic factors has a C-Index of 0.740(95%CI:0.713-0.767).Furthermore,subgroup analysis showed that the 3-year OS time of the high-risk group was significantly lower than that of the low-risk group(P<0.0001).CONCLUSION NPAS2 is highly expressed in GC tissues and is closely related to worse OS in patients.Therefore,the evaluation of NPAS2 expression may be a potential marker for GC prognosis evaluation.Notably,the nomogram model based on NPAS2 can improve the accuracy of GC prognosis prediction and assist clinicians in postoperative patient management and decision-making.

Relationship between let-7a and gastric mucosa cancerization and its significance

AIM: To investigate let-7a expression and analyze the correlation between let-7a and progression of gastric mucosa cancerization. METHODS: The tissue microarray was constructed previously in 52 cases of human gastric carcinoma, 17 cases of chronic atrophic gastritis (atypical hyperplasia) and 11 cases of normal gastric tissue, and tissue microarrays combined with in situ hybridization were used to detect the expression of let-7a. RESULTS: The positive rates of let-7a in normal gastric tissue, chronic atrophic gastritis and gastric carcinoma were 90.9%, 88.2% and 86.5%, respectively, without significant differences among the groups (P > 0.05). However, an intense signal of let-7a was observed in gastric epithelial cells, whereas a less intense signal was found in gastric atypical hyperplasia epithelial cells anda weak signal in gastric carcinoma epithelial cells. The expression of let-7a decreased along with the progression of gastric mucosa cancerization (P < 0.05). In the group of gastric carcinoma, the expression of let-7a was even significantly lower in gastric carcinomas with lymph node metastasis than in those without metastasis (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Gastric carcinoma has relatively lower expression of let-7a. Reduced let-7a may be a fundamental factor in the formation and lymph node metastasis of gastric carcinoma.

Expression of hepatic Wnt5a and its clinicopathological features in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Backgroud： Wingless-type MMTV integration site family member 5a （Wnt5a） is involved in carcinogenesis.However, little data are available in Wnt5a signaling with hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）. In thepresent study, we investigated the expression of hepatic Wnt5a in HCC and the role of Wnt5a in HCCprogression and outcome.

Overexpression of IQGAP1 in human pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND:Pancreatic cancer is a highly aggressive malignant tumor with the lowest survival rate.A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms which contribute to pancreatic cancer occurrence and progression will aid in the development of new approaches to the early diagnosis,prevention,and treatment of this deadly disease.The scaffold protein IQGAP1 shows elevated levels in a variety of cancer types.Currently,we investigated whether or not IQGAP1 is also overexpressed in pancreatic cancer.METHODS:IQGAP1 expression was examined in pancreatic cancer and normal tissues adjacent to cancerous tissues(adjacent tissues)by Western blotting and real-time RT-PCR as well as in paraffin sections of tissue microarray by immunohistochemistry.The correlations between IQGAP1 expression and various clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed.RESULTS:Western blotting and real-time RT-PCR revealed that the levels of IQGAP1 protein and mRNA expression in pancreatic cancer tissues were significantly increased compared with adjacent tissues.Immunohistochemistry analysis on tissue microarray showed that IQGAP1 protein expression was significantly higher in pancreatic cancer(80.0%,48/60)compared with adjacent tissues(18.3%,11/60)(P【0.001).Moreover,overexpression of IQGAP1 was shown to be associated with the grades of tumor differentiation(P【0.05).CONCLUSION:The overexpression of IQGAP1 may play an important role in pancreatic cancer occurrence and progression,and IQGAP1 may serve as a novel molecular target for the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Expression of FANCD2 in Sporadic Breast Cancer and Clinicopathological Analysis

FANCD2 is involved in DNA damage repair and maintenance of chromosome stability.The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of FANCD2 in sporadic breast cancer tissues and its association with clinicopathological features.A total of 162 Chinese women with invasive breast carcinoma who had no family history in first-degree relatives and 12 normal breast tissues were examined.The expression of FANCD2 was detected by immunohistochemical staining based on a tissue microarray technique.SAS system was used to analyze the data.Twenty-one out of the 162 invasive breast cancers(13%) were negative for FANCD2.The mean percentage of FANCD2 positive cells was significantly lower in breast cancers than in controls(P0.05).It was suggested that FANCD2 may play a critical role in breast carcinogenesis.It may become a valuable and independent marker for identifying women with sporadic breast cancer and evaluating the prognosis.

Application of histone modification in the risk prediction of the biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy

The role of histone modifications in the development and progression of cancer remains unclear. Here,we gave an investigation of the relationship between the various histone modifications and the risk prediction of the biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy （RP）. Histone 3 lysine 4 dimethylation （H3K4diMe）,trimethylation （H3K4triMe）,lysine 36 trimethylation （H3K36triMe）,histone 4 lysine 20 trimethylation （H4K20triMe）and acetylation of histome 3 lysine 9 （H3K9Ac） were evaluated using immnuohistochemistry coupled with the tissue microarray technique in 169 primary prostatectomy tissue samples. Recursive partitioning analysis （RPA） was used to analyze the data. Through global histone modification analysis in patients who underwent radical prostatectomy,we found that H3K4triMe can predict the risk of the biochemical recurrence for the low grade prostate cancer （Gleason score≤6） after RP. In the case of high grade prostate cancer （Gleason score≥7）,H4K20triMe and H3K9Ac accompanying with the pre-operation prostate-specific antigen （PSA） level could also predict the risk of the biochemical recurrence after RP. In combination with the Gieason score and pre-operation PSA level,the acetylation and methylation of histones H3 and H4 can predict the biochemical recurrence of the prostate cancer following RP.

Prognostic significance of epidermal growth factor-like domain 7 in pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND： Recent studies have shown the clinical significance of epidermal growth factor-like domain 7（EGFL7）in a variety of cancers. However, the relationship between EGFL7 and the prognosis of pancreatic cancer（PC） remains unclear. The present study was undertaken to investigate the role of EGFL7 in the prognosis of PC.METHODS： The expression of EGFL7 in nine PC cell lines was first determined by Western blotting analysis. Tissue microarray-based immunohistochemical staining was performed in paired formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor and non-tumor samples from 83 patients with PC. Finally,correlations between EGFL7 expression and clinicopathological variables as well as overall survival were evaluated.RESULTS： EGFL7 was widely expressed in all PC cell lines tested.EGFL7 expression in tumor tissues was significantly higher than that in non-tumor tissues（P0.040）. In addition, univariate analysis revealed that high EGFL7 expression in tumor tissues was significantly associated with poor overall survival,accompanied by several conventional clinicopathological variables, such as gender, histological grade and lymph node metastasis. In a multivariate Cox regression test, EGFL7 expression was identified as an independent marker for longterm outcome of PC.CONCLUSION： Our data showed that EGFL7 is extensively expressed in PC and that EGFL7 is associated with poor prognosis.