Search

Microneedle fractional radiofrequency (MFRF) has been used to improve photoaging and scars. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of MFRF with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) for facial atrophic acne scars and skin rejuvenation by blinded visual evaluation, self-report, and reflective confocal microscopy (RCM). Fifteen subjects were randomized to the MFRF with bFGF group and fifteen to the MFRF group. All subjects underwent three-session therapy and a follow-up period. Significant group differences were in ECCA, global improvement score, satisfaction, and downtime before and after treatment. Combination therapy could be more effective than monotherapy for acne scars and facial rejuvenation. In addition, RCM can be used to observe the changes in skin collagen before and after treatment in evaluating cosmetic efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Objective: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease with strong genetic predisposition. Genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) of SLE have identified more than 50 robust susceptibility loci. However, traditional individual SNP‐based GWAS have made it difficult to identify variants with small effects. Moreover, variants revealed by GWAS only explain a limited disease heritability, suggesting that many susceptibility genes remain uncovered. Methods: We first curated the published SLE GWAS data from 1047 SLE patients and 1205 healthy controls of Chinese ancestry and performed a gene‐based association study. Then quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) was conducted to verify novel genes identified above. Results: Gene‐based association study identified 10 SLE‐associated genes, nine of which were reported by previous GWAS, the other one, ILRUN, is a newly identified gene and was further validated by qRT‐PCR. Gene expression analysis of Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets also showed that the expression of ILRUN in patients with SLE was lower than that in normal subjects. Conclusion: In this study, gene‐based association study and qRT‐PCR identified that ILRUN is a novel susceptibility gene of SLE. ILRUN may regulate inflammation and antiviral response through its effect on the transcription of type I interferons)I‐IFN, and participate in the pathogenesis of SLE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM), a malignant melanocyte-derived skin cancer, potentially leads to fatal outcomes without effective treatment. The variability in immunotherapy responses among melanoma patients is significantly influenced by the intricate immune microenvironment, particularly due to the status of tumor T cells, encompassing their activity, exhaustion levels, and antigen recognition capabilities. This study utilized single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to analyze 34 melanoma samples from two public datasets (GSE215120 and GSE115978). Herein, we extracted 706 marker genes associated with immune checkpoint (ICP) therapy from these T cells, 509 markers of T cells from 11 melanoma tissues, and eventually identified 33 candidate genes. These genes underwent LASSO and COX regression analyses to identify the signature genes. Of the initial 33 candidate genes, we successfully isolated six distinct T cell-associated immunotherapy-related genes (IRTGs). Additionally, the computation of each patient risk score proved beneficial in evaluating the immune cell infiltration level and functions as an independent prognostic factor for melanoma patient survival. The risk score results revealed promising predictive outcomes in determining the response of melanoma patients to immunotherapy. Notably, our study is the first to reveal the potential correlation between signature gene PEB4B and the immune microenvironment in melaoma, which was explored with multiple immunofluorescence (IF) and Immune Infiltration Assessment. In a conclusion, our findings demonstrate the potential utility of a risk score dependent on signature genes as a predictive tool for assessing the prognosis and response to immunotherapeutic interventions in melanoma patients., Competing Interests: Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interest exists., (© The author(s).)

Introduction: PG is an uncommon, noninfectious neutrophilic dermatosis. Very few cases of bullous PG as the first manifestation of IgG myeloma have been reported. HE4, a novel marker for human cancers, may be a promising marker of bone destruction and disease progression in patients with hematologic malignancies and PG lesions., Case Report: The authors report a case of a 49-year-old female who presented with painful patches located on the lower extremities for the past 5 months, and then had lesions that rapidly progressed to necrotic ulcers after unregulated acupuncture therapy. During the treatment procedure, underlying IgG κ-type myeloma was diagnosed. After the diagnosis was confirmed, the patient underwent chemotherapy, and the lesions started to heal and gradually showed scarring. The current report also discusses the potential value of HE4 as applied to malignancies that present with PG and bone destruction., Conclusions: Once the diagnosis of the underlying systemic disease is confirmed, patients with PG should simultaneously receive aggressive treatment for the primary disease. More emphasis should be put on HE4 regarding the progression of monoclonal gammopathy-related PG with bone destruction to provide new ideas to understand the pathogenesis of this disease.