An endolichenic fungus Xylaria grammica EL000614 produces grammicin, a potent nematicidal pyrone derivative that can serve as a new control option for root-knot nematodes. We optimized an Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation (ATMT) protocol for X.grammica to support genetic studies. Transformants were successfully generated after co-cultivation of homogenized young mycelia of X.grammica with A. tumefaciens strain AGL-1 carrying a binary vector that contains the bacterial hygromycin B phosphotransferase (hph) gene and the eGFP gene in T-DNA. The resulting transformants were mitotically stable, and PCR analysis showed the integratin of both genes in the genome of transformants.Expression of eGFP was confirmed via fluorescence microscopy. Southern analysis showed that 131 (78.9%) out of 166 transformants contained a single T-DNA insertion. Crucial factors for producing predominantly single T-DNA transformants include 48 h of co-cultivation, pretreatment of A. tumefaciens cells with acetosyringone before co-cultivation, and using freshly prepared mycelia. The established ATMT protocol offers an efficient tool for random insertional mutagenesis and gene transfer in studying the biology and ecology ofX.grammica.

Erlotinib inhibits the epidermal growth factor receptor and is used in patients with various cancers. However, it can affect the epidermis and hair because the receptor is expressed in normal skin cells. A 54-year-old woman with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer presented with erythematous patches over her entire body and severe hair shedding 2 weeks after starting erlotinib. Histopathological examinations showed lymphocytic exocytosis; perivascular infiltration of lymphohistiocytes and eosinophils in the right arm; and marked infiltration of eosinophils, neutrophils, and lymphohistiocytes in the scalp. Erlotinib discontinuation improved hair loss and skin lesions. Hair loss has been reported in 5% of patients taking erlotinib. Our case was unusual in that there was complete baldness, and to our knowledge, no report of complete hair loss and exanthematous drug eruption after erlotinib treatment has been previously reported. Here, we report a case of severe hair loss with concurrent exanthematous drug eruption that may have been linked to erlotinib hypersensitivity.
Alopecia ; Arm ; Drug Eruptions ; Eosinophils ; Epidermis ; Erlotinib Hydrochloride ; Exocytosis ; Female ; Hair ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Lung Neoplasms ; Middle Aged ; Neutrophils ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; Scalp ; Skin

A 72-year-old woman presented with recurrent painful erythematous nodules and ulcers on both legs. Latent tuberculosis was proven by a positive interferon-gamma release assay, and a histopathology examination revealed septolobular panniculitis with vasculitis. The initial diagnosis was erythema induratum associated with tuberculosis, but the leg ulcers became worse despite anti-tuberculosis medication and wound dressing. Computed tomography angiography showed occlusion of the superficial femoral and popliteal arteries bilaterally, supporting that the vascular event contributes to the ulcers according to the vascular territories. Under the diagnosis of peripheral arterial occlusive disease, she was treated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and antiplatelet medication. The skin ulcers were resolved. Elderly patients with erythema induratum have a risk of coincidental peripheral arterial occlusive disease, therefore dermatologists should be aware of the possibility of underlying vascular disease, so even minor trauma like skin biopsy can evoke serious condition shown in this patient. Here, we report a case of drastically aggravated erythema induratum due to co-existing peripheral arterial occlusive disease, which resolved with vascular intervention after not responding to antituberculosis medication.
Aged ; Angiography ; Angioplasty ; Arterial Occlusive Diseases* ; Bandages ; Biopsy ; Diagnosis ; Erythema Induratum* ; Erythema* ; Female ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma Release Tests ; Latent Tuberculosis ; Leg ; Leg Ulcer ; Panniculitis ; Popliteal Artery ; Skin ; Skin Ulcer ; Tuberculosis ; Ulcer ; Vascular Diseases ; Vasculitis ; Wounds and Injuries

No abstract available.
Adenoma, Pleomorphic* ; Lip*

No abstract available.
Adult* ; Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell* ; Humans ; Ulcer*

Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells and natural killer T (NKT) cells are known to play important roles in autoimmunity, infectious diseases and cancers. However, little is known about the roles of these invariant T cells in multiple trauma. The purposes of this study were to examine MAIT and NKT cell levels in patients with multiple trauma and to investigate potential relationships between these cell levels and clinical parameters. The study cohort was composed of 14 patients with multiple trauma and 22 non-injured healthy controls (HCs). Circulating MAIT and NKT cell levels in the peripheral blood were measured by flow cytometry. The severity of injury was categorised according to the scoring systems, such as Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score, Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) II, and Injury Severity Score (ISS). Circulating MAIT and NKT cell numbers were significantly lower in multiple trauma patients than in HCs. Linear regression analysis showed that circulating MAIT cell numbers were significantly correlated with age, APACHE II, SAPS II, ISS category, hemoglobin, and platelet count. NKT cell numbers in the peripheral blood were found to be significantly correlated with APACHE II, SAPS II, and ISS category. This study shows numerical deficiencies of circulating MAIT cells and NKT cells in multiple trauma. In addition, these invariant T cell deficiencies were found to be associated with disease severity. These findings provide important information for predicting the prognosis of multiple trauma.
APACHE ; Autoimmunity ; Cell Count ; Cohort Studies ; Communicable Diseases ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Injury Severity Score ; Linear Models ; Multiple Trauma* ; Natural Killer T-Cells* ; Physiology ; Platelet Count ; Prognosis ; T-Lymphocytes*

No abstract available.
Drug Eruptions* ; Imatinib Mesylate*

No abstract available.
Hemangiosarcoma* ; Neoplasm Metastasis*

No abstract available.
Leg*

An 18-year-old male visited our department complaining of recurrent episodes of an itchy rash after hand washing, showering/bathing, drinking water, and getting rain-soaked. He was diagnosed with aquagenic urticaria after a water provocation test and histopathologic examination. Five months of antihistamine treatment successfully prevented further wheal formation. Aquagenic urticaria is a very unusual form of physical urticaria caused by contact with water. It manifests as pruritic small wheals surrounded by erythema within 30 minutes of exposure. The condition can be diagnosed by a water provocation test. Systemic antihistamines are the first-line treatment, with anticholinergics, phototherapy, or barrier cream used alternatively or additionally. Four cases of aquagenic urticaria have been reported in Korea, but no histopathologic evaluation was reported in the English or Korean literature. Herein, we provide both a case report of aquagenic urticaria diagnosed by the water provocation test and histopathologic examination results for this patient.
Adolescent ; Cholinergic Antagonists ; Drinking Water ; Erythema ; Exanthema ; Hand Disinfection ; Histamine Antagonists ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Phototherapy ; Urticaria* ; Water*