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Autologous cell-based therapy using dermal sheath cup (DSC) cells was reported as a new treatment for male and female pattern hair loss. However, the mechanisms underlying its action remain unclear. We investigated the mechanisms underlying the efficacy of DSC cells in cell-based therapy. We conducted multivariate analysis to categorize individuals based on treatment response as responders and non-responders. The differentially expressed genes in DSC cells from the two groups were evaluated using bulk transcriptome, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and single-cell transcriptome analyses. We performed live cell imaging combined with immunostaining to characterize the DSC subpopulation associated with responders. We identified nine and three genes as high efficacy (HE) and low efficacy (LE) marker genes, respectively. The HE subpopulations were enriched for cell migration-related genes in single-cell analysis. In contrast, the LE subpopulation was enriched for basement membrane and vasculature-related genes. Moreover, DSC cells in culture were immunocytochemically and morphologically heterogeneous, expressing characteristic factors. Furthermore, live cell imaging showed that DSC cells expressing integrin subunit alpha 6 (ITGA6), an HE subpopulation gene, had markedly higher mobility than those expressing the LE subpopulation genes collagen type IV or CD36. ITGA6-positive DSC cells, with superior migratory activity, may contribute to cell-based therapy by promoting cell migration into nearby hair follicles. • Analyzed clinical results of cell therapy for PHL with multivariate analysis. • Identified differentially expressed genes between responders and non-responders. • Identified clinical efficacy-associated subpopulation by single cell analysis. • This subpopulation expressed integrin subunit alpha 6 (ITGA6). • ITGA6 + subpopulation had high migratory activity contributing to PHL cell therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We often come across differences in the severity of androgenetic alopecia (AGA) as assessed subjectively by the patients themselves and objectively by the attending physicians. For the purpose of examining the differences in the assessment of AGA between patients and physicians, we presented the Norwood classification to male patients and the Shiseido classification to female patients and asked them to assess the degree of hair loss by themselves. We compared the results with the severity as assessed by 2 specified dermatologists. The results show that the assessments of the severity of AGA were consistent between the patients and physicians in 42% (15/36) of cases, the physicians reported a higher grade of severity than the patients themselves in 30% (11/36) of cases, and the patients reported a higher grade of severity than the physicians in 28% (10/36) of cases; however, the Wilcoxon signed rank statistical analysis showed no significant difference between the patients and physicians assessments. AGA should be treated in accordance with individual symptoms and wishes and not a standardized treatment protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the case of a 54-year-old woman with asthma and atopic dermatitis who presented a white spot on the genitalia. Histologic examination showed numerous eosinophils in the epithelium and the dermis. Eosinophilic esophagitis is defined as an esophageal disease characterized clinically by symptoms related to esophageal dysfunction and histologically by an eosinophil-predominant inflammation. We discuss the possible relationship between the two diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Human papillomavirus (HPV) is known to cause cervical cancer. Because it has been detected in lesions of Bowenoid papulosis, Bowen's disease, and Bowen's carcinoma, HPV infection has been implicated in the pathogenesis of these diseases. Methods A 44-year-old man was diagnosed clinicopathologically with Bowen's carcinoma of the right great toe. He developed multiple organ metastases and died. We examined HPV DNA in skin biopsy specimens from the primary and skin metastatic lesions by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and in situ hybridization (ISH). The PCR assay was carried out using primer sets specifically designed for detecting the E6 and E7 genes of the HPV types associated with malignancy. Purified and cloned PCR products were subjected to DNA sequence analysis. The ISH studies used INFORM® HPV III probes. Results We found HPV DNA in specimens from both the primary and the skin metastatic lesions. DNA sequencing detected HPV type 16. We compared the base sequences of viral DNA from the primary and metastatic lesions. Point mutations of the base sequences of the E6 and E7 genes were observed in viral DNA from metastases but not in that from primary lesions. The E6 gene had mutated from G to A in the 383rd base sequence, causing a Glu-to-Lys amino acid change. Results of ISH showed punctuate signals in the nuclei of tumor cells. Conclusions We suspect an association between HPV 16 infection and the development of this malignant occurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:The precise roles of T helper (Th)1-type and Th2-type cytokine responses in nickel (Ni)-induced allergic contact dermatitis have not yet been clearly defined. We investigated the involvement of Th2 cytokines in Ni-induced contact hypersensitivity reaction using GATA-3 transgenic (Tg) mice. Methods: A Ni-titanium (Ti) alloy was implanted under the skin of GATA-3 Tg mice. A Ni solution was then injected 1 month after sensitization. The ear swelling response was measured at several time points after the injection; the cytokine levels in the skin were measured at 48 h after injection, and the serum levels of IgE were measured 1 month after injection. In addition, purified CD4+ splenic cells obtained from the GATA-3 Tg mice sensitized with the Ni-Ti alloy were infused into Rag-2-/- mice, and the ear swelling response of these mice after a further challenge with Ni solution was also measured. Results:Marked ear swelling and elevated serum IgE levels and skin tissue levels of IL-4 were observed in Ni-Ti-sensitized GATA-3 Tg mice. The Rag-2-/- mice transfused with the CD4+ splenic cells from the Ni-Ti alloy sensitized GATA-3 Tg mice showed a significantly more pronounced ear swelling response than the control mice. Conclusion: We confirmed the participation of Th2-type immune reactions in Ni-induced allergy using GATA-3 Tg mice. Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this review we summarize the characteristic features of multiple eruptive dermatofibromas based on an analysis of cases in the literature. Many researchers have reported multiple eruptive dermatofibromas diagnosed using the definition of "multiple" as the presence of at least 15 lesions. However, this criterion is arbitrarily chosen and might not be entirely valid for all cases. A more precise definition may include the eruption of several multiple eruptive dermatofibromas reported within a short period of time. Because more than half of the patients with multiple eruptive dermatofibromas have underlying diseases, and more than 80% of the underlying diseases are immunemediated, multiple eruptive dermatofibromas could possibly be considered as a partial manifestation of an immune-mediated disease. This underscores the possibility of early diagnosis of immune-mediated diseases in patients with multiple eruptive dermatofibromas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) is a systemic small vessel vasculitis, which, although primarily associated with necrotizing and crescentic glomerulonephritis and pulmonary capillaritis, often has cutaneous and musculoskeltal features. Although the skin is affected in 20–70% of patients, the precise description has been limited. This retrospective study analyzed clinical manifestations in patients of MPA with skin eruptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a case of a 70-year-old man with dermatomyositis complicated by esophageal involvement resistant to corticosteroid therapy. It had serious and potentially life-threatening implications, resulting in impossible oral feeding. This condition was successfully resolved by administration of cyclosporine A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous surgical methods have been introduced to treat osmidrosis. However, many problems with wound healing have been reported, including haematoma, seroma, skin necrosis and severe scarring. Ultrasound energy liquefies sweat glands via cavitation, but minimally affects blood vessels and nerves at the same energy level. Our patient was treated with ultrasonic surgical aspiration, which allowed the effective removal of the apocrine glands with little scarring. The ultrasonic surgical aspirator offers a safe and effective method to treat osmidrosis with few complications. This is the operation of first choice, especially for the patients who are sensitive about their surgical scars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 71-year-old man having pigmented macules of one month duration. Microscopic examination revealed sheets of cells abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, enlarged nuclei and several mitotic figures. Immunohistochemical studies were negative for CD56, CD20, CD8, CD4 and CD3, and positive for lysozyme, myeolo-peroxidase, CD45 and CD43, which confirms myeloid sarcoma diagnosis.

The article discusses the case of a 79-year-old woman with myasthenia gravis (MG) who developed Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS), and notes that treatment with tacrolimus was effective in controlling CSS. It explains that CSS patients exhibit pulmonary and systemic small-vessel necrotizing vasculitis, and that the condition occurs in those with asthma or allergic rhinitis. Skin lesions are said to occur in 40 to 75% of CSS patients.

Presents a letter to the editor about segmental neurofibromatosis.

5α-dihydrotestosterone is known to play a crucial part in the regulation of hair growth and in the development of androgenetic alopecia. 5α-dihydrotestosterone is formed locally within the hair follicle from the systemic precursor testosterone by cutaneous steroid 5α-reductase. Moreover, adrenal steroids such as dehydroepiandrosterone are converted to 5α-dihydrotestosterone by isolated hair follicles, which may provide an additional source of intrafollicular 5α-dihydrotestosterone levels. Elevated urinary dehydroepiandrosterone and serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate have been reported to be present in balding young men. These reports suggest that dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate may act as an important endocrine factor in the development of androgenetic alopecia. Hence the question arises whether the dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate can be metabolized within the hair follicles to yield dehydroepiandrosterone by the microsomal enzyme steroid sulfatase, and where steroid sulfatase might be localized. We therefore performed immunostaining for steroid sulfatase on human scalp biopsies as well as analysis of steroid sulfatase enzyme activity in defined compartments of human beard and occipital hair follicles ex vivo. Using both methods steroid sulfatase was primarily detected in the dermal papilla. Steroid sulfatase activity was inhibited by estrone-3-O-sulfamate, a specific inhibitor of steroid sulfatase, in a concentration-dependent way. Furthermore, we show that dermal papillae are able to utilize dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate to produce 5α-dihydrotestosterone, which lends further support to the hypothesis that dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate contributes to androgenetic alopecia and that steroid sulfatase inhibitors could be novel drugs to treat androgen-dependent disorders of the hair follicle such as androgenetic alopecia or hirsutism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the first report of a case of porocarcinoma that was successfully treated with maxacalcitol and imiquimod. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe a 54-year-old man who presented with right subcostal pain. Minocycline had been prescribed to treat pruritus, and the symptoms resolved. Subsequently, the patient consulted a local physician because of right subcostal pain. Giant folds were found in the greater curvature of the gastric body, and he was referred to the Department of Gastroenterology, Kitasato University East Hospital. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed markedly enlarged folds in the greater curvature of the stomach, with redness and edematous mucosa in the lesser curvature. Biopsy showed marked inflammatory cell infiltration (mainly eosinophils), but no atypical cells. Blood tests showed marked eosinophilia and elevated immunoglobulin E levels in the serum. The results of various allergic examinations were negative, but the clinical course suggested drug-induced eosinophilic gastroenteritis, and treatment was started. Minocycline was withdrawn without adequate resolution of symptoms. Because the leukocyte and eosinophil counts continued to increase, the patient was given suplatast, an anti-allergic agent. The symptoms and hematological values improved promptly. The patient recovered uneventfully, with no recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]