Human ; Male ; Adult: 25-44 Yrs Old ; Lutembacher Syndrome

Background: Dermoscopy enhances detection of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), especially for the pigmented subtype common among Asians. However, there is limited data on dermoscopic features of BCC in Filipinos. Objectives: The objective of this study is to describe the clinicopathologic profile and dermoscopic features of BCC in Filipinos seen in a tertiary care clinic. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Philippines from November 2019 to December 2021 in a tertiary care clinic. Fifty-three (53) lesions suspicious for BCC were analyzed using dermoscopy prior to histologic confirmation. Fifty (50) biopsy-proven BCC lesions were included in the analysis. Results: Lesions were more commonly seen in females (72.50%), and located on the head and neck (88%). The most common histopathologic subtype was nodular (74%). The most common dermoscopic features were large blue-gray ovoid nests (86%) and ulcerations (70%). Conclusion The most common BCC type among the study participants was nodular, with large blue-gray ovoid nests and ulceration seen on dermoscopy.
carcinoma, basal cell ; dermoscopy

Major depressive disorder is a leading cause of disability in more than 280 million people worldwide. Monoamine-based antidepressants are currently used to treat depression, but delays in treatment effects and lack of responses are major reasons for the need to develop faster and more efficient antidepressants. Studies show that ketamine (KET), a PCP analog, produces antidepressant effects within a few hours of administration that lasts up to a week. However, the use of KET has raised concerns about side effects, as well as the risk of abuse. 4 -F-PCP analog is a novel PCP analog that is also an NMDA receptor antagonist, structurally similar to KET, and might potentially elicit similar antidepressant effects, however, there has been no study on this subject yet. Herein, we investigate whether 4-F-PCP displays antidepressant effects and explored their potential therapeutic mechanisms. 4-F-PCP at 3 and 10 mg/kg doses showed antidepressant-like effects and repeated treatments maintained its effects. Furthermore, treatment with 4-F-PCP rescued the decreased expression of proteins most likely involved in depression and synaptic plasticity. Changes in the excitatory amino acid transporters (EAAT2, EAAT3, EAAT4) were also seen following drug treatment. Lastly, we assessed the possible side effects of 4-F-PCP after long-term treatment (up to 21 days). Results show that 4-F-PCP at 3 mg/kg dose did not alter the cognitive function of mice. Overall, current findings provide significant i

A 32-year-old Filipino male managed as a case of acute myeloid leukemia presented with a 6-month history of generalized, red-brown papules. After chemotherapy, the patient was advised 30-minutes daily sun exposure as a form of natural phototherapy. On follow-up, most lesions flattened. This case demonstrates chemotherapy’s potential role in controlling the patient’s inflammatory state and using ultraviolet light therapy in the form of sunlight to manage generalized purpuric lichen nitidus.
Lichen Nitidus ; Dermoscopy ; Phototherapy

HemoHIM was used as a Korean traditional medicine for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. However, there is no study on the effect of HemoHIM on fatigue. We examined the potential use of HemoHIM to determine whether it can induce anti-fatigue effects. Mice were administered with HemoHIM and VEH for 14 days. On the last day of treatment, mice were subjected to behavioral tests. Subsequently, their plasma and muscle were collected after the treadmill test to measure lactate, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), ammonia, corticosterone, glycogen, and creatine kinase (CK). We found that HemoHIM moderately increased the running time (s) in the treadmill and mobility duration in the cold swimming tests. In addition, the VEH group showed a significant increase in lactate, LDH, and corticosterone levels in the plasma compared to the group that did not perform the test. However, this was moderately reduced in HemoHIM treatment. Moreover, the HemoHIMtreated group showed significant differences in LDH and glycogen levels, and showed significantly different CK levels in the muscle. HemoHIM is considered to be effective in improving fatigue, given the duration of cold swimming or running time on a treadmill. Also, HemoHIM treatment resulted in reduced concentrations of blood and muscle parameter analysis.

Previous reports have demonstrated that genetic mechanisms greatly mediate responses to drugs of abuse, including methamphetamine (METH). The circadian gene Period 2 (Per2 ) has been previously associated with differential responses towards METH in mice. While the behavioral consequences of eliminating Per2 have been illustrated previously, Per2 overexpression has not yet been comprehensively described; although, Per2 -overexpressing (Per2 OE) mice previously showed reduced sensitivity towards METH-induced addiction-like behaviors. To further elucidate this distinct behavior of Per2 OE mice to METH, we identified possible candidate biomarkers by determining striatal differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in both drug-naïve and METH-treated Per2 OE mice relative to wild-type (WT), through RNA sequencing. Of the several DEGs in drug naïve Per2 OE mice, we identified six genes that were altered after repeated METH treatment in WT mice, but not in Per2 OE mice. These results, validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, could suggest that the identified DEGs might underlie the previously reported weaker METH-induced responses of Per2 OE mice compared to WT. Gene network analysis also revealed that Asic3, Hba-a1, and Rnf17 are possibly associated with Per2 through physical interactions and predicted correlations, and might potentially participate in addiction. Inhibiting the functional protein of Asic3 prior to METH administration resulted in the partial reduction of METH-induced conditioned place preference in WT mice, supporting a possible involvement of Asic3 in METH-induced reward.Although encouraging further investigations, our findings suggest that these DEGs, including Asic3, may play significant roles in the lower sensitivity of Per2 OE mice to METH.

An 11-year-old girl previously treated for tinea capitis presented a 3-month history of continuous decrease in hair density on the vertex, frontal, and parieto-temporal areas of the scalp. Hair pull test was negative. Trichoscopic findings showed black dots, micro-exclamation point hairs, regrowing vellus hair, and zigzag hairs. Histopathology showed CD3+ peribulbar lymphocytic infiltrates and occasional eosinophils around the anagen hair follicle consistent with a non-scarring alopecia. A diagnosis of diffuse alopecia areata was made. Patient was given methylprednisolone (0.5 mg/kg/day) for 2 weeks and noted marked increase in hair density except on focal areas of the scalp. Patient eventually admitted to occasional hair pulling. Trichoscopy revealed trichoptilosis, V-sign, tulip hairs, and multiple broken hairs of varying length while a second biopsy showed trichomalacia and pigment casts consistent with trichotillomania. In this case, where co-existence of alopecia areata and trichotillomania is considered to be uncommon, trichoscopy proved to be an important tool in differentiating hair disorders with similar presentation. Knowing key features of hair diseases can help elucidate the diagnosis when presented with an atypical case.
Alopecia Areata ; Trichotillomania

Introduction: Non-Langerhans cell histiocytoses (non-LCH) are a group of rare diseases with varied clinical manifestations and overlapping features seen among the subtypes. Here, we present a case of Rosai-Dorfman disease with features of necrobiotic xanthogranuloma. Case: A 45-year-old female presented with a 10-year history of an enlarging neck mass with normal overlying skin accompanied by dysphagia and multiple asymptomatic pink to yellowish-brown papules, nodules, and plaques on the face, trunk and extremities. Biopsies of a skin nodule and plaque revealed granulomatous dermal infiltrates (lymphocytes, foamy histiocytes, and Touton giant cells), emperipolesis and areas of necrosis. CD1A and Fite-Faraco staining showed negative results while CD68 and S100 positively stained the tissues of interest. Histopathology of the neck mass paralleled these findings in addition to being negative for lymphoid markers. Patient had monoclonal gammopathy and thyromegaly with enlarged cervical lymph nodes on further tests and imaging. Intralesional and systemic steroids were given which led to flattening of skin lesions and improvement in dysphagia, respectively. Conclusion Diagnosis and classification of a particular type of non-LCH may be difficult due to similarities across its subtypes. Hence, it is our belief that these diseases may occur on a spectrum. Treatment involves a multidisciplinary approach for the best possible care.
Histiocytosis ; Histiocytosis, Sinus ; Necrobiotic Xanthogranuloma

A 37-year-old Filipino man presented with a 9-month history of sagging skin progressing cephalocaudally from the chin and neck to the axillae, side of the trunk, and pelvic area. This was followed by a 2-month history of increasing serum creatinine levels associated with periorbital and bipedal edema, generalized weakness, decreased appetite, vomiting, and headache. Subsequently, skin-colored, non-tender sac-like plaques appeared on the abdomen, inguinal, and intergluteal areas. Histopathology of the latter lesions showed increased spaces between collagen bundles in the dermis. Staining with Verhoeff-van Gieson revealed focal sparse elastic fibers in the papillary dermis compared to that of the reticular dermis consistent with anetoderma. Further work-up revealed normal ANA titer and low serum C3. Kidney biopsy showed IgG deposition in the tubular basement membrane and trace C3 deposition in the glomerular mesangium, giving a diagnosis of rapid progressive glomerulonephritis. On subsequent follow-up, the sac-like plaques became lax and presented as generalized wrinkling of the skin, raising the question whether cutis laxa and anetoderma are occurring in a spectrum instead as distinct entities. Based on the current review of literature, this is the first reported case of primary anetoderma co-occurring with cutis laxa in a patient with glomerulonephritis. Deposition of immunoglobulins along the elastic fibers could have activated the complement system, mediating the destruction of the elastic fibers, resulting to cutis laxa and anetoderma. This case also considers the possibility of anetoderma and type I acquired cutis laxa occurring either in a spectrum or as distinct diseases in a single patient. Further investigations may identify an ultrastructural pattern that can help differentiate the two entities.
Anetoderma ; Cutis Laxa ; Glomerulonephritis