Immunohistochemical characterization of β-catenin in gynecologic tumor and its diagnostic value

β-catenin is a very unusual protein with multiple functions depending on its cellular localization. The β-catenin gene (CTNNB1) encodes for β-catenin and apart from its well-defined role in cellular adhesion,it is also a component of the Wnt signalling pathway. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway is involved in various normal cellular activities,including determination,proliferation,migration and differentiation in embryonic development and adult homeostasis. Deregulation or constitutive activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway may lead to cancer formation. Immunohistochemical expression of β-catenin in gynecologic tumor have been reported recently. In normal epithelia,immunoreactivity was strongly observed at the membrane,partially at cytoplasm,nuclear staining of β-catenin was rarely seen in normal cases; In ovarian carcinomas,β-catenin nuclear expression was found more commonly in endometrioid carcinomas,nuclear β-catenin staining seemed to be of prognostic importance; In endometrium carcinomas,β-catenin nuclear expression were more common in pure endometrioid tumors than in unendometrioid tumors,associated with favorable prognosis,the staining pattern was independent of the menopausal status; In synchronous primary cancers of the endometrium and ovary,activating mutations in β-catenin seemed to distinguish synchronous primary tumors from metastatic tumors.

Intestinal microbiota and juvenile idiopathic arthritis:current understanding and future prospective

Background Juvenile idiopathic arthritis(JIA)characterized by arthritis of unknown origin is the most common childhood chronic rheumatic disease,caused by both host genetic factors and environmental triggers.Recent evidence has mounted to focus on the intestinal microbiota,a potentially recognized set of environmental triggers affecting JIA development.Here we offer an overview of recently published animal and human studies that support the impact of intestinal microbiota in JIA.Data sources We searched PubMed for animal and human studies publications with the search terms"intestinal microbiota or gut microbiota"and"juvenile idiopathic arthritis or juvenile chronic arthritis or juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or childhood rheumatoid arthritis or pediatric rheumatoid arthritis".Results Several comparative studies have demonstrated that intestinal microbial alterations might be triggers in disease pathogenesis.Alternatively,a slice of studies has suggested environmental triggers in early life might disrupt intestinal microbial colonization,including cesarean section,formula feeding,and antibiotic exposure.Aberrant intestinal microbiota may influence the development of JIA by mediating host immune programming and by altering mucosal permeability.Conclusions Specific microbial factors may contribute to the pathogenesis of JIA.Intensive studies,however,are warranted to investigate the causality between intestinal dysbiosis and JIA and the mechanisms behind these epidemiologic relationships.Studies are also needed to design the best interventional administrations to restore balanced intestinal microbial communities.

Two Cases of Intrauterine Adhesions with Rare Hysteroscopic Findings

An intrauterine adhesion （IUA） is a form of disease that causes the uterine muscle walls to become adhered to each other due to the basal layers of the endometrium being damaged by various factors, thus resulting in partial or complete occlusion of the uterine cavity.