Are military personnel at a more risk for skin cancers?

NMSC is the most common cancer in countries with a largely fair skin phenotype population and moderate sun exposure. Assessing risk factors in the military personnel. Comparing the risk factors in this occupational group to the general population. 200 active-duty military members and 1000 individuals (the control group) were randomly selected from the general population. We used transversal data collection through a questionnaire, filled in by all participants in the study based on self-report on general data, skin type, habits, lifestyle and inheritance risk for cutaneous cancer. Analyzing the connection between risk factors reported and incidence for NMSC and melanoma, the following factors resulted significant: The control group the age variable >50 yo and BMI ≥25 were significant. The study group (military personnel), among the variables statistically examined through Pearson's test resulted significant: age > 50 years old, fair skin phenotype, sunburn during childhood, familial history of cutaneous cancer, dark spots (>20) on the arm, and coffee consumption as a protective factor. Military personnel has more significant risk factors for developing cutaneous cancer compared to other population groups therefore, prevention and early detection strategies are needed.

Biofilms and vulvovaginal candidiasis

Candida species, including C. albicans, are part of the mucosal flora of most healthy women, and inhabit the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts. Under favourable conditions, they can colonize the vulvovaginal mucosa, giving rise to symptomatic vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). The mechanism by which Candida spp. produces inflammation is unknown. Both, the blastoconidia and the pseudohyphae are capable of destroying the vaginal epithelium by direct invasion. Although the symptoms are not always related to the fungal burden, in general, VVC is associated with a greater number of yeasts and pseudohyphae. Some years ago, C. albicans was the species most frequently involved in the different forms of VVC. However, infections by different species have emerged during the last two decades producing an increase in causative species of VVC such as C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis, C. krusei and C. tropicalis. Candida species are pathogenic organisms that have two forms of development: planktonic and biofilm. A biofilm is defined as a community of microorganisms attached to a surface and encompassed by an extracellular matrix. This form of presentation gives microorganisms greater resistance to antifungal agents. This review, about Candia spp. with a special emphasis on Candida albicans discusses specific areas such as biofilm structure and development, cell morphology and biofilm formation, biofilm-associated gene expression, the cell surface and adherence, the extracellular matrix, biofilm metabolism, and biofilm drug resistance in vulvovaginitis biofilms as an important virulence factor in fungi.

Advances in Immunotherapy for Melanoma: A Comprehensive Review

Melanomas are tumors originating from melanocytes and tend to show early metastasis secondary to the loss of cellular adhesion in the primary tumor, resulting in high mortality rates. Cancer-specific active immunotherapy is an experimental form of treatment that stimulates the immune system to recognize antigens on the surface of cancer cells. Current experimental approaches in immunotherapy include vaccines, biochemotherapy, and the transfer of adoptive T cells and dendritic cells. Several types of vaccines, including peptide, viral, and dendritic cell vaccines, are currently under investigation for the treatment of melanoma. These treatments have the same goal as drugs that are already used to stimulate the proliferation of T lymphocytes in order to destroy tumor cells; however, immunotherapies aim to selectively attack the tumor cells of each patient. In this comprehensive review, we describe recent advancements in the development of immunotherapies for melanoma, with a specific focus on the identification of neoantigens for the prediction of their elicited immune responses. This review is expected to provide important insights into the future of immunotherapy for melanoma.