Background: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common cause of hair loss in adults. Topical application of the fermented extract of medicinal plants promoted hair growth through stimulation of the telogen to anagen transition in a mouse model. However, controlled studies are necessary to evaluate the efficacy of the topical application of the fermented extract solution in humans. Objective: We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of topical poly-gamma glutamic acid hydrogel nanoparticlebased fermented extract of a medicinal plant solution (PGA solution) in terms of the clinical improvements in patients with AGA. Methods: This 24-week, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, single-center clinical trial enrolled 50 patients with AGA (36 men and 14 women); the participants were treated with either PGA solution or placebo twice daily for 24 weeks. Efficacy was evaluated by a phototrichogram (total hair count per 1 cm 2 ), patient’s subjective assessments, and investigator’s subjective assessments of clinical improvements in overall hair regrowth. Any adverse reactions were reported during the study. Results: At week 24, compared with baseline, the PGA solution group showed a significantly increased hair density compared to the placebo group (7.24±2.52/cm 2 vs. 1.53±1.39/cm 2 , p＜0.0001). The average hair density after 24 weeks was 129.90±23.04/cm 2 and 115.32±20.35/cm 2 in the PGA solution group and the placebo group, respectively.There was no adverse reaction over the 24-week period. Conclusion PGA solution may provide a safe and effective adjunctive treatment for patients with AGA.

Background/Aims: Glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (G/P) is the first pan-genotypic direct-acting antiviral combination therapy approved in Korea. An integrated analysis of five phase II and III trials was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of G/P in Korean patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Methods: The study analyzed pooled data on Korean patients with HCV infection enrolled in the ENDURANCE 1 and 2, SURVEYOR II part 4 and VOYAGE I and II trials, which evaluated the efficacy and safety of 8 or 12 weeks of G/P treatment. The patients were either treatment-naïve or had received sofosbuvir or interferon-based treatment. Efficacy was evaluated by assessing the rate of sustained virologic response at 12 weeks posttreatment (SVR12). Safety was evaluated by monitoring adverse events (AEs) and laboratory assessments. Results: The analysis included 265 patients; 179 (67.5%) were HCV treatment-naïve, and most patients were either subgenotype 1B (48.7%) or 2A (44.5%). In the intention-to-treat population, 262 patients (98.9%) achieved SVR12. Three patients did not achieve SVR12: one had virologic failure and two had non-virologic failures. Most AEs were grade 1/2; eight patients (3.0%) expe-rienced at least one grade ≥3 AE. No serious AEs related to G/P treatment were reported, and grade ≥3 hepatic laboratory abnormalities were rare (0.8%). Conclusions G/P therapy was highly efficacious and well tolerated in Korean patients with HCV infection, with most patients achieving SVR12. The safety profile was comparable to that observed in a pooled analysis of a global pan-genotypic population of patients with HCV infection who received G/P.

Primary cutaneous nodular amyloidosis is a rare variant of primary cutaneous amyloidosis and manifests as nodular, light-chain, amyloid deposits that are localized to the skin. The pathogenesis of the disease is still unclear. It usually originates in the lower extremities, face, scalp, and genitals and presents clinically as waxy, yellowish erythematous colored nodules. Histological characteristics include diffuse homogenous eosinophilic deposits in the dermis or subcutaneous regions along with interspersed plasma cells. We report a case of a 72-year-old man who presented with fissured, erythematous, waxy nodules on the bilateral lip angles. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of primary cutaneous nodular amyloidosis of the lip angles in Korean dermatological literature.

Lymphedema refers to inflammation that occurs in a part of the body owing to impaired lymphatic transport. Lymphedema arises as a consequence of a malformation or malfunction of the lymphatic system. It commonly occurs on the face, vulva, and penis and can cause superficial lesions known as lymphangiectasia. Common presenting symptoms include pain, pruritus, oozing of lymphatic fluid, sexual dysfunction, and infection. Prolonged lymphedema can lead to fibrosis and epidermal hyperplasia with verrucous hyperkeratosis. In rare cases, the lymphedema may mimic a skin tumor. We report the case of a 69-year-old woman who presented with erythematous oozing papules and hard nodules on the vulva, which mimicked a fibrous tumor.

No abstract available.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Epithelial Cells ; Fingers ; Orthopedics ; Radiation Exposure

No abstract available.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Epithelial Cells ; Hemangiosarcoma

Immunoglobulin A (IgA) pemphigus is a rare variant of an autoimmune bullous disease with IgA antibodies. IgA pemphigus is divided into 2 major subtypes: the subcorneal pustular dermatosis (SPD) type and intraepidermal neutrophilic (IEN) dermatosis type. We documented a case of an 18-year-old woman with recurrent generalized blisters and pustules that were especially severe in the intertriginous areas. Some half-and-half blisters and coalesced pustules in an annular pattern with crusts were simultaneously observed. A biopsy specimen from one of the half-and-half blister lesions showed intraepidermal separation with multiple neutrophils. Direct immunofluorescence staining revealed lace-like intercellular deposition of IgA in the entire epidermis. IgA antibody deposits were also observed in the patient's serum. The eruptions cleared with systemic steroids and colchicine 0.6 mg for 1 week, and the patient remained in partial remission at the 8-month follow-up. Herein, we report a case of IEN-type IgA pemphigus, clinically mimicking SPD with half-and-half blisters.
Adolescent ; Antibodies ; Biopsy ; Blister ; Colchicine ; Epidermis ; Female ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; Immunoglobulins ; Neutrophils ; Pemphigus ; Skin Diseases ; Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous ; Steroids