BACKGROUND: Topical tacrolimus is an effective anti-inflammatory therapy for acute and chronic states of atopic dermatitis (AD) in both adults and children. Topical tacrolimus has particular use at sensitive areas such as the face, anogenitals, and skin folds of neck and extremities. However, many AD patients also experience aggravated symptoms on trunk. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of topical tacrolimus for AD patients with truncal lesions. METHODS: AD patients with truncal lesions who were aged ≥2 years were recruited from 20 centres in Korea. They received treatment with topical tacrolimus ointment twice daily during 4 weeks. The primary end point was change of the local eczema area and severity index (EASI) of the trunk from baseline to day 28. The secondary end points were changes in the patient global assessment (PGA) score and itch visual analogue scale (VAS) score of the trunk between baseline and day 28. RESULTS: Two hundred and ninety-one patients were recruited, and 176 patients completed the full 4-week treatment course. By the end of the treatment, the mean local EASI of the trunk (2.2±4.71) was significantly decreased from that at baseline (4.71±4.03, p < 0.001). PGA (1.71±1.15) and itch VAS score of the trunk (2.61±2.19) on day 28 were also profoundly decreased compared with the baseline (2.96±1.07 and 5.15±2.47, respectively). No serious adverse events were observed during the study period. CONCLUSION: Topical tacrolimus is an effective and safe therapy for truncal lesions in AD patients.
Administration, Topical ; Adult ; Child ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Eczema ; Extremities ; Humans ; Korea ; Neck ; Skin ; Tacrolimus*

BACKGROUND: Stress is a known cause of hair loss in many species. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we investigated the role of acute stress on hair growth using a rat model. METHODS: Rats were immobilized for 24 hours and blood samples, and skin biopsies were taken. The effect of stress-serum on the in vitro proliferation of rat and human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs), as well as serum cortisol and corticotropin-releasing hormone levels, were measured. Mast cell staining was performed on the biopsied tissue. In addition, Western blot and quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction were used to assess mast cell tryptase and cytokine expression, respectively in rat skin biopsies. RESULTS: Stress-serum treatment reduced significantly the number of viable hDPCs and arrested the cell cycle in the G1 phase, compared to serum from unrestrained rats (p<0.05, respectively). Moreover, restrained rats had significantly higher levels of cortisol in serum than unrestrained rats (p<0.01). Acute stress serum increased mast cell numbers and mast cell tryptase expression, as well as inducing interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β up-regulation. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that acute stress also has an inhibitory effect on hair growth via cortisol release in addition to substance P-mast cell pathway.
Animals ; Biopsy ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Cycle ; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone ; G1 Phase ; Hair* ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; In Vitro Techniques ; Interleukins ; Mast Cells* ; Models, Animal ; Rats ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Skin ; Tryptases ; Up-Regulation

No abstract available.
Erythema Nodosum* ; Erythema*

No abstract available.
Darier Disease* ; Friction* ; Keratosis* ; Minocycline

BACKGROUND: Ecklonia cava is a brown alga that contains various compounds, including carotenoids, fucoidans, and phlorotannins. E. cava polyphenols (ECPs) are known to increase fibroblast survival. The human dermal papilla cell (hDPC) has the properties of mesenchymal-origin fibroblasts. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the effect of ECPs on human hair growth promotion in vitro and ex vivo. METHODS: MTT assays were conducted to examine the effect of ECPs on hDPC proliferation. Hair growth was measured using ex-vivo hair follicle cultures. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to evaluate the mRNA expression of various growth factors in ECP-treated hDPCs. RESULTS: Treatment with 10 microg/ml purified polyphenols from E. cava (PPE) enhanced the proliferation of hDPCs 30.3% more than in the negative control (p<0.001). Furthermore, 0.1 microg/ml PPE extended the human hair shaft 30.8% longer than the negative control over 9 days (p<0.05). Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) mRNA expression increased 3.2-fold in hDPCs following treatment with 6 microg/ml PPE (p<0.05). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA expression was also increased 2.0-fold by 3 microg/ml PPE (p<0.05). Treatment with 10 microg/ml PPE reduced oxidative stress in hDPCs (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that PPE could enhance human hair growth. This can be explained by hDPC proliferation coupled with increases in growth factors such as IGF-1 and VEGF. Reducing oxidative stress is also thought to help increase hDPCs. These favorable results suggest that PPE is a promising therapeutic candidate for hair loss.
Carotenoids ; Fibroblasts ; Hair Follicle ; Hair* ; Humans* ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Oxidative Stress ; Polyphenols* ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Messenger ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

No abstract available.
Forehead* ; Hamartoma*

Autoimmune progesterone dermatitis is a rare disorder involving hypersensitivity to progesterone. It is most frequently characterized by recurrent erythema multiforme, eczematous or urticarial eruptions during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. It resolves or partially improves after menstruation. Sensitivity is demonstrated by a challenge test with medroxyprogesterone acetate. The therapeutic goal for autoimmune progesterone dermatitis is the suppression of ovulation. Currently, the first-line choice of therapy is a combination oral contraceptive. Here, we report a case of autoimmune progesterone dermatitis that manifested as cyclic bullous erythema multiforme. A reactive intradermal progesterone test confirmed the diagnosis.
Dermatitis* ; Diagnosis ; Erythema Multiforme* ; Erythema* ; Female ; Hypersensitivity ; Luteal Phase ; Medroxyprogesterone Acetate ; Menstrual Cycle ; Menstruation ; Ovulation ; Progesterone*

Nuchal-type fibroma is a rare, benign, fibrous, tumor-like proliferation characterized by dense hypocellular bundles of collagen, with sparsely scattered fibroblasts, interspersed fat tissue, and entrapped nerve fibers. It usually develops in the posterior neck as a solitary, firm, poorly circumscribed, subcutaneous mass. Herein, we report about a 32-year-old man who presented with a 6-year history of multiple nodules on the scalp. Histopathological features were consistent with those of nuchal-type fibroma. The tumors were surgically excised.
Adult ; Collagen ; Fibroblasts ; Fibroma* ; Humans ; Neck ; Nerve Fibers ; Scalp*

No abstract available.
Interferon-gamma Release Tests* ; Lupus Vulgaris*

Cutaneous bone formation may be primary or secondary. If it is primary, there are no preceding cutaneous lesions. If it is secondary, bone forms through metaplasia within a preexisting lesion caused by inflammation, traumatic injury, and a neoplastic tumor. Paronychia is inflammation of the proximal nail fold and presents as painful periungual erythema, sometimes with associated purulence. Chronic paronychia is most commonly related to mechanical or chemical factors. Here, we report a case of chronic paronychia accompanied by cutaneous ossification in a 33-year-old woman who presented with a 2-year history of recurrent paronychia on the left first finger.
Adult ; Erythema ; Female ; Fingers ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Metaplasia ; Osteogenesis ; Paronychia*