Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology最新文献

Purpose: Heat shock protein A4 (HSPA4) is associated with a variety of human diseases. However, its function in cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) remains uncertain.

Patients and methods: The gene and protein expression level of HSPA4 in CMM was investigated with public databases. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) assay was performed to assess the effect of HSPA4 on the proliferation of melanoma cells. Then, the diagnostic and prognostic value of HSPA4 in CMM were analyzed. Gene variations and methylation levels, and the correlation between HSPA4 expression and immune cell infiltration were evaluated, followed by the construction of HSPA4 related protein-protein interaction networks and functional enrichment analysis.

Results: The mRNA and protein expression level of HSPA4 was significantly higher in CMM. Knocking down HSPA4 in A-375 cell line could inhibit tumor cell growth. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis confirmed the diagnostic value of HSPA4. Survival analysis showed that high expression of HSPA4 was associated with poor prognosis. HSPA4 gene alterations were observed in 3% of CMM patients. Five CpG sites are associated with the prognosis of CMM. HSPA4 is negatively correlated with most immune cells in CMM. The protein interaction network shows that HSPA4 is closely related to proteins such as DnaJ heat shock protein family (Hsp40) member B1 (DNAJB1) and DnaJ heat shock protein family (Hsp40) member B6 (DNAJB6), and the expression of DNAJB1 is positively correlated with HSPA4. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that HSPA4 may be associated with immune suppression and immune escape within the tumor microenvironment of CMM.

Conclusion: HSPA4 may participate in the regulation of tumor development and microenvironment, which may be a potential diagnostic and prognostic marker of CMM.

Pemphigus foliaceus (PF) and bullous pemphigoid (BP) are distinct autoimmune bullous skin diseases mediated by autoantibodies targeting adhesion molecules in desmosomes and hemidesmosomes structural proteins in the epidermal-basement membrane zone, respectively. The coexistence of PF and BP is rare. We present the case of a 72-year-old male with clinical and histological features of both PF and BP. Treatment with immunoglobulin (10 g/day for 3 days), intravenous dexamethasone sodium phosphate (5 mg/day for 10 days), oral triamcinolone (30 mg/day for 10 days), and minocycline hydrochloride (20 mg/day for 10 days) resulted in significant improvement. This rare case highlights the importance of accurate diagnosis and effective treatment strategies for the coexistence of PF and BP.

Objective: Topical corticosteroids (TCS), topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCI), and phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE-4) inhibitors are three common topical anti-inflammatory agents for treating atopic dermatitis (AD). The purpose of our study was to understand Chinese dermatologists' perceptions and the factors influencing their choices of the three agents.

Methods: An online questionnaire survey was conducted between 25 July 2022 and 25 August 2022 among Chinese dermatologists. The survey with six multiple-choice questions focused on what were their most commonly prescribed agents for treating AD, and what factors influenced their choices of the three agents. The results were assessed by chi-square test and logistic regression analysis.

Results: A total of 1, 156 valid questionnaire replies were received. For treating AD, 79.84% of Chinese dermatologists chose TCS, 81.40% chose TCI, and 18.25% chose PDE-4 inhibitors. When TCS was not chosen, the three principal reasons included local adverse effects (85.56%), suspicious infection on lesioned area (71.54%), and patient steroid phobia (61.59%). Coincidentally, when the TCI and PDE-4 inhibitors were chosen, the main reason was patient steroid phobia (76.21% and 74.74% respectively) against TCS. When PDE-4 inhibitors were not chosen, the major reasons were their intolerable adverse effects (80.36%) and their slower onset and weak efficacy (57.61%). Logistic regression analysis revealed that more senior dermatologists were less likely to choose TCS for the reason of local adverse effects and patient steroid phobia (each P < 0.05), they were more likely to choose TCI for the same reason of patient steroid phobia against TCS (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Local adverse effects and patient steroid phobia were the reasons that limited Chinese dermatologists from choosing TCS for treating AD. Instead, more of them choose to use TCI. PDE-4 inhibitors were sometimes considered as an alternative to TCS or TCI, but its local adverse effects and limited efficacy affected the choice of this agent.

This comprehensive review explores the pivotal roles of glycation and oxidative stress in the aging process of the skin, emphasizing their targeted therapeutic applications in aesthetic and regenerative medicine, as well as anti-aging interventions. Glycation, a biochemical process involving the non-enzymatic attachment of sugars to proteins, lipids, or nucleic acids, culminates in the formation of Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs). These AGEs are significant contributors to aging and various chronic ailments, triggering oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways, thereby manifesting as wrinkles, diminished skin elasticity, and other age-related dermal alterations. A central focus of this review is the synergistic interplay between Hyaluronic Acid (HA) and Trehalose in combating these aging mechanisms. HA, renowned for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties, assumes a pivotal role in modulating Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) levels and safeguarding against oxidative damage. Concurrently, trehalose targets glycation and oxidative stress, exhibiting promising outcomes in augmenting skin health, providing Ultraviolet B (UVB) photoprotection, and manifesting notable anti-photoaging effects. The combined administration of HA and trehalose not only addresses existing skin damage but also confers preventive and reparative benefits, particularly in stabilizing HA and mitigating glycation-induced stress. Their synergistic action significantly enhances skin quality and mitigates inflammation. The implications of these findings are profound for the future of anti-aging therapeutics in aesthetic medicine, suggesting that the integration of HA and trehalose holds promise for revolutionary advancements in preserving skin vitality and health. Moreover this paper underscores the imperative for continued research into the combined efficacy of these compounds, advocating for innovative therapeutic modalities in aesthetic medicine and enhanced strategies for combating aging, glycation, and oxidative stress.

Aim: Increasing observational studies are revealing a positive correlation between body mass index (BMI) and the risk of Immune-mediated and Inflammatory Skin Diseases (IMID), however the causal relationship is not yet definite.

Objective: The aim of the study was to conduct a two-sample Mendelian randomization (TSMR) to explore the potential causality between BMI, and IMID and biomarkers.

Methods: The summary statistics for BMI (n = 322,154), at genome-wide significant level, were derived from the Genetic Investigation of Anthropometric Traits consortium (GIANT). The outcome data for IMID (Psoriasis, vitiligo, Atopic dermatitis (AD), acne, Bullous diseases, Dermatitis herpetiformis, Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Alopecia Areata (AA), Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) and Systemic sclerosis), and biomarkers were obtained from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). The TSMR analyses were performed in four methods, including inverse variance weighted (IVW) method, MR-Egger regression, the weighted median estimator (WME) and simple mode.

Results: The IVW analysis showed that the per standard deviation (SD) increase in BMI increased a 57% risk of psoriasis. We also observed the suggestive evidence of a causal relationship between BMI and AD and HS. This analysis did not support causality of Vitiligo, Acne, Bullous pemphigoid, Dermatitis herpetiformis, SLE, AA and Systemic sclerosis. The higher risk of BMI may be explained by higher levels of Triglycerides, C-reactive protein (CRP), Interleukin 6, Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and Neutrophil count. The high-density lipoprotein (HDL) has an inverse relationship with BMI. No influences were defined for Total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), Rheumatoid factor (RF), Basophil count and Eosinophil count.

Conclusion: Our two-sample MR analysis proved the causal evidence for the associations between BMI and IMID, including psoriasis, AD and HS, which might be related to the elevated expression of biomarkers, including Triglycerides, CRP, Interleukin 6, ESR and neutrophil count.

This case study illustrates a 24-year-old Chinese man who presented with tinea capitis associated with a fungal infection. He was administered a therapeutic regimen consisting of terbinafine, ketoconazole cream, and miconazole shampoo for 2 months. However, the symptoms recurred 3 months after the treatment ended. Fungal culture and sequencing confirmed the infection of Hortaea werneckii. Drug sensitivity testing showed that the infecting strain of the patient remained sensitive to the five commonly used antifungal drugs in vitro. While most cases infected by Hortaea werneckii present with Tinea nigra, the possibility of Hortaea werneckii infection should be considered in patients with tinea capitis living in coastal cities.

Giant vascular eccrine spiradenoma (GVES) is a dermal adnexal neoplasm, representing a malignant variant of eccrine spiradenoma. We report a case of giant scapular vascular eccrine spiroadenomas. This case is characterized by its large size and location in a region with sparse vascular distribution, along with a favorable postoperative prognosis, which merits reporting.

The high incidence of disability and fatality rates associated with chronic diabetic wounds are difficult problems in the medical field. The steady-state and regular changes of the microenvironment in and around the wound provide good conditions for wound healing and achieve a dynamic and complex process of wound healing.The pH value and ionic environment composed of a variety of ions in wound are important factors affecting the wound microenvironment, and there are direct or indirect connections between them. Abnormalities in pH, ion concentrations, and channels in skin tissue may be one of the reasons for the high incidence and difficulty in chronic diabetic wounds healing. Currently, different wound-dressing applications have been developed based on the efficacy of ions. Here, the effect of pH in wounds, concentrations of calcium (Ca²⁺), sodium (Na⁺), potassium (K⁺) and the metal ions silver (Ag⁺), copper (Cu²⁺), iron (Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺), zinc (Zn²⁺), and magnesium (Mg²⁺) in skin tissue, their roles in wound healing, and the application of related dressings are reviewed. This manuscript provides new ideas and approaches for future clinical and basic research examining the treatment of chronic diabetic wounds by adjusting ion concentrations and channels.

Introduction: It is well established that Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) is a common skin commensal microorganism that has been linked to acne. In acne flare-ups, C. acnes can be found in abundant levels within the inflammatory lesions (called comedones) associated with the skin disease. Recently, it was reported that 3D reconstructed human epidermis (RHE) treated with viable cultures of C. acnes can elicit β-defensin antimicrobial peptide responses in the skin and can weaken the skin barrier of the RHE after three days of exposure to C. acnes.

Methods: Employing a modification of this in vitro assay, RHE was pretreated with C. acnes for 48 hours, then further treated with a mixture of water-soluble polysaccharides (STRATAPHIX™ POLY, "Polysaccharide Blend") previously shown to reduce inflammasome-mediated inflammatory responses in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK). Two inflammasome-mediated inflammation markers were tested, including caspase-1, a potent protease enzyme activated by NOD-like receptor protein (NLRP)-induced inflammasome activation, and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), a cytokine which is activated from inactive pro-IL-1β by caspase-1.

Results: The treatment of the RHE tissues with C. acnes for 48 hours elicited an inflammatory response measured with both markers compared against untreated tissues. Treatment of the tissues with 1% and 2% salicylic acid for 24 hours after C. acnes treatment increased the inflammatory response measured with both markers. Application of the water-soluble polysaccharides in combination with 1% and 2% of salicylic acid significantly reduces expression of both active caspase-1 and IL-1β compared against the tissues treated with C. acnes and salicylic acid alone.

Discussion: The results lend further support to previously reported work which was done on NHEKs treated with ultraviolet B (UVB) light and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and demonstrate that the same mixture of polysaccharides can have a modulating effect against bacterial and chemical induced inflammation in RHE.

Aim: The application of bibliometric analysis gives insights into research trend and future perspectives. This paper aims to understand the current status of studies on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD), and to investigate the cooperation network, hotspots and trends in the field.

Methods: The original data were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection by searching for the topic "atopic dermatitis" and "traditional Chinese medicine" with the time span of 2004-2023. Microsoft Excel was used to create statistical tables and charts, whereas CiteSpace and VOSViewer were applied for knowledge mapping.

Results: In total, 252 publications were identified and downloaded. Current research on TCM treating AD is in the steady growth period. China has the largest number of publications, whereas the USA has the greatest international influence. Notably, the Arab Emirates, Malaysia, India and Bangladesh all have a high research impact but with a low amount of publications. Universities in Hong Kong China have the largest number of publications, but their interaction with other institutions is very poor. The top three most productive authors are all from Hong Kong, having a strong collaboration network with each other. The popular research topics in this field are "children" "cell" "activation" "nf kappa b" "inflammation" "asthma" "extract" "management" and "cytokine". According to the analysis of leading co-cited journals and authors, "J ETHNOPHARMACOL" has the largest amount of citations whilst "AM J CHINESE MED" the strongest academic influence. The largest number of co-cited authors comes from "Hon Karn-Lun Ellis", a well-known scholar from Hong Kong.

Conclusion: TCM has been widely used in AD treatment, honored for its individualized therapeutic concepts of evidence-based treatment. The academic community must form a continuous and deep-going pattern to achieve higher international influence and a stronger research degree in this field.