Mucins are a large family of glycoproteins expressed by many epithelial cells and their malignant counterparts. Much interest has been focused on expression of its members in breast cancer because of their potential role as prognostic indicators and their involvement in cancer therapy. We have examined 1447 cases of invasive breast carcinoma with a long-term follow-up, using tissue microarray (TMA) technology and immunohistochemistry to evaluate the expression profiles of several mucins (MUC1, MUC2, MUC3, MUC4, MUC5AC and MUC6) and to assess their prognostic value. We detected MUC1 expression in 91% of tumours. MUC1 overexpression was associated with a lower grade, smaller tumour size, a higher oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive phenotype and absence of both regional recurrence and distance metastasis. The subcellular localization but not the level of expression had a prognostic value in predicting outcome. The aberrant cytoplasmic and membranous localization of MUC1 was associated with poor outcome compared with apical localization, which is the normal physiological site of expression. MUC2 expression was noticed in only 8.3% of all cases and was restricted to the cytoplasm of the tumour cells. An inverse trend was identified between MUC2 expression and lymph node stage and vascular invasion status. On excluding cases of mucinous carcinoma from the analysis, the inverse association with vascular invasion was still defined and in addition an inverse association with ER status emerged. MUC3 expression was detected in 91% of cases and its expression was associated with increased local recurrence, and lymph node stage. The membranous expression of MUC3 was found to be a potentially poor prognostic feature, with higher grade and poorer Nottingham Prognostic Index (NPI), and negative ER expression. MUC4, MUC5AC and MUC6 were expressed in 95, 37 and 20% of cases, respectively. Apart from an association between MUC4 expression and tumour grade and between MUC6 and ER-negative tumours, no other associations with any clinicopathological variables were found. Apart from the higher expression of MUC2 and MUC6 in mucinous carcinomas, no association was found between the expression of different mucins and tumour type. No association between the level of expression of any of the studied mucins and patient outcomes has been identified. In conclusion, most breast carcinomas express MUC1, MUC3 and MUC4. Among the various mucins expressed in breast cancer, MUC1 and MUC3 are potential prognostic indicators, MUC1 having the strongest relationship with patient outcome.

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Background: Breast carcinoma is a major public health problem. Claudins are important tight junction proteins, they came into focus for their suggested role in carcinogenesis and possible role in cancer therapy. To date, few studies have addressed the role of claudins in BC. Claudin-4 has been found to be overexpressed in a wide variety of cancers including breast cancer, its role in BC progression and spread constitutes an active research focus. Methods: Immunohistochemical staining of claudin-4 was conducted on 50 tissue specimens of invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast (IDC-NST) by using the avidin biotin-peroxidase complex method with diaminobenizidine (DAB) chromagen detection system. Results: High claudin-4 expression was detected in 52% of cases.

Summary Comparative studies have been done on 20 Trich. verrucosum strains of human and the same number of animal origin. The strains were isolated from dermatomycotic cases of both man and animals. The strains were first maintained on Hamburger test agar. The studies included inositol and thiamin requirements as well the effect of different commonly used mycological media, namely Sabouraud's agar, Modified Sabouraud's agar, Peptone agar, Earth dekokt agar, and yeast extract agar, on the mode, rate of growth and the stimulation of a sexual spore formation. It has been proved that most of the tested animal strains varied from those of human origin in having the capability of growing, however to a less extent, on the basic medium in absence of any vitamin additions. Furthermore varied the effect of the different first three used media on the mode and rate of growth. On the other hand acted the last 2 media as asexual spore stimulant on the fungus but failed in giving rise to a luxurient growth. Zusammenfassung Die Ergebnisse vergleichender Untersuchungen an 20 Trich. verrucosum‐Stämmen humaner und 20 Stämmen animaler Herkunft bezüglich ihrer meso‐Inositol und Thiamin‐Bedürfnisse sowie über die Wirkung von verschiedenen Nährböden auf die Art und Wachstumsgeschwindigkeit sind dargestellt. Dabei konnte festgestellt werden, daß 16 animale Stämme ohne Vitaminzusatz zum Basic‐Medium schwach wuchsen. Weiterhin wirkten drei Nährböden unterschiedlich auf die Art und die Geschwindigkeit des Wachstums der Stämme, während zwei andere Nährböden die Konidienbildung stimulierten. Auf Sabouraud‐Glukose‐Agar erfolgte die Entwicklung der Pilze sehr rasch, ohne daß Unterschiede zwischen Variationen beobachtet wurden. Nach 6 Wochen wurde das Ober‐flächenmyzel der Kulturen pleomorph. Der hohe Zuckergehalt (4%) wird dafür verant‐wortlich gemacht. Die Reduzierung des Glukosegehaltes von 4% auf 2% führte zu einer Mäßigung des Wachstums; auch hier wurden keine Unterschiede bei den Variationen festgestellt. Die animalen Stämme entwickelten sich auf diesen Nährböden besser als die humanen Stämme, von wenigen Ausnahmen abgesehen. Auf Pepton‐Agar war das Wachstum deutlich reduziert und verändert, besonders die discoide Variation. Auf Erdedekokt‐Agar und Hefeextraktagar war das Wachstum spärlich, doch wurden massenhaft Konidien gebildet. Nicht alle Stämme benötigten Thiamin oder Inosit.

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