Human β-defensin-2 and skin diseases

Human β-defensin-2 (hBD-2) is an endogenous antimicrobial peptide recently found in the skin with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and unique mechanism of function. Recent studies have confirmed that the expression of hBD-2 is upregulated in the lesions of some dermatoses, such as psoriasis,acne vulgaris, verruca, dermatophytosis and basal cell carcinoma, etc. The susceptibility to bacterial and viral infections may be associated with the decreased or absent expression of hBD-2. Further researches into HBD-2will provide a new direction for the prevention and treatment of skin diseases.     

Study of substance P and its receptor neurokinin-1 in psoriasis and their relation to chronic stress and pruritus

Substance P and its receptor(R) neurokinin (NK)-1 may have a role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Stress has been reported to play a role in the onset and exacerbation of psoriasis, which might include the substance P-NK-1 receptor(R) pathway. A feature of psoriasis, that has been correlated to the severity of stress and secretion of substance P, is pruritus. The objective of this study was to investigate the expression of substance P and the NK-1R in involved and noninvolved psoriatic skin, using a biotinylated streptavidin technique. Moreover, a possible correlation between the patient′s level of chronic stress, measured by salivary cortisol samples, degree of lesional pruritus, measured by means of a visual analogue scale, and the expression of substance P- and the NK-1R, was investigated. There was a low number of substance P positive nerve fibres in noninvolved and involved skin, the major immunoreactivity for substance P being found in inflammatory cells. The number of substance P- and NK-1R positive inflammatory cells was increased in involved compared to noninvolved psoriatic skin. The substance P positive cells were mostly lymphocytes, while most of the NK-1R positive cells were mast cells. NK-1R immunoreactivity was also seen as a reticular pattern in the upper part of the epidermis of involved skin in the majority of the patients. Low cortisol ratios in the patients, being an indicator of chronic stress, were correlated to an increased number of substance P- and NK-1R positive inflammatory cells in noninvolved psoriatic skin, and higher cortisol ratios to the presence of keratinocyte NK-1R immunoreactivity in involved skin. The degree of pruritus could not be correlated to the number of substance P positive fibers nor cells. Nonneuronal substance P and its receptor NK-1 might have a role in psoriasis, also during chronic stress.     

Photodynamic therapy with topical aminolevulinic acid

Photodynamic therapy(PDT) is a relatively new therapy in dermatology that uses the topical application of a porphyrin derivative to selectively destroy a cutaneous target. The action is implemented by the application of a specific light frequency. The ability of porphyrin to selectively target tumor tissue has been known since the 1960 s. In the late 1970 s, the underlying mechanism was defined, and Dougherty's discovery of the first chromophore led to the production and commercialization of Photofrin. Many other chromophores that can act as photosensitizers have been studied since then, with aminolevulinic acid currently the most commonly used chromophore in clinical practice. PDT is simple, minimally invasive and can be administered on an outpatient basis. The efficacy of PDT has been proven for actinic keratosis, Bowen's disease and basal cell carcinoma; another of its well-known applications is the treatment of photoaging. Indications for its use are continuously increasing, and promising results are reported for various skin diseases. In this paper we report the mechanism of action of PDT with aminolevulinic acid, the literature concerning the most common diseases treated with PDT and the subsequent level of evidence.     

Sweet side of bladder cancer

The malignant transformation of cells is often accompanied by deranged expression of the sugar chains,i.e.,glycans,attached the cancer cell surfaces or attached to secreted proteins.The aberrant expression of specific glycans in bladder cancer has also been reported by several research groups.Similarly to other cancers,glycans such as the sialyl Tn antigens have been suggested as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of bladder cancer,and associated with disease progression and patient’s response to treatment.At present our understandings about the role of glycans in bladder cancer is still limited,but at the same time it is now assumed that this understanding urges and it will fuel the development of novel strategies of diagnostic and therapy.     

痤疮丙酸杆菌相关性皮肤病

痤疮丙酸杆菌是一种低致病力的革兰阳性菌,主要定植在人类皮肤毛囊皮脂腺的滤泡中.既往发现痤疮丙酸杆菌通过诱导分泌的细胞因子、酶类等参与痤疮的发病,近年来发现它可能通过影响黑素合成、黑素小体分布、免疫反应等参与进行性斑状色素减退症和外伤后致死性肉芽肿的发病,概述与其相关的几种疾病.

Abstract：

Propionibacterium acnes is a low-pathogenic and gram-positive bacteria. It is predominately colonized in sebaceous follicles of human skin. Past studies demonstrated that P.acnes took part in the occurrence of acne by inducing the secretion of cytokines and enzymes. Recently, it has been observed that P.acnes is involved in the development of progressive macular hypomelanosis and fatal granuloma after trauma via influencing melanogenesis, melanosome distribution, immune reactions, etc. This paper overviews some skin diseases associated with P.acnes.     

Most Frequent Comorbidities in Patients With Lichen Planopilaris: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: Lichen planopilaris (LPP) is a rare skin disorder, but it is also the most common cause of scarring alopecia in adults. The main cause of this disease is unknown, but it is considered to be related to the immune status of the body. Several comorbidities are reportedly associated with LPP, such as hypertension, depression, thyroiditis, diabetes, and vitiligo. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the frequency of comorbidities in patients with LPP who were referred to Razi Hosp...     

头皮糜烂性脓疱性皮病及其治疗

头皮糜烂性脓疱性皮病是一种少见的皮肤病.其临床特点为老年人头皮部红斑,无菌性脓疱,糜烂甚至溃疡,斑块结痂;伴疼痛为主;慢性病程易反复,最终可导致瘢痕性脱发,并可在瘢痕上发生鳞状细胞癌.其病因不明,目前认为相关的致病因素包括,头皮外伤、日光损伤及自身免疫性疾病.诊断为排除性,组织病理及微生物培养后排除其他疾病后方可诊断此病.已有文献报道多种治疗方法,其中以口服异维A酸疗效最佳.

Abstract：

Erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp (EPDS ) is an uncommon and painful skin disease characterized by erythema,sterile pustules,erosion,ulceration,and crusted plaques of the scalp of elderly patients,which is often chronic and relapsing,and can eventually cause scarring alopecia and even squamous cell carcinoma.The etiology is unknown,but predisposing factors have been reported such as trauma,prolonged exposure to sunlight as well as coexistence of autoimmune diseases.EPDS is a diagnosis of exclusion based on histological examination and microbial cultures.Multiple therapies have been documented for the treatment of EPDS,and oral isotretinoin is supposed to be the most effective.     

ACE and ACE2 in kidney disease

Renin angiotensin system(RAS) activation has a significant influence on renal disease progression. The classical angiotensin-converting enzyme(ACE)-angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ)-Ang Ⅱ type 1(AT1) axis is considered to control the effects of RAS activation on renal disease.However, since its discovery in 2000 ACE2 has also been demonstrated to have a significant impact on the RAS.The synthesis and catabolism of Ang Ⅱ are regulated via a complex series of interactions, which involve ACE and ACE2. In the kidneys, ACE2 is expressed in the proxima tubules and less strongly in the glomeruli. The synthesisof inactive Ang 1-9 from Ang Ⅰ and the catabolism of Ang Ⅱ to produce Ang 1-7 are the main functions of ACE2. Ang 1-7 reduces vasoconstriction, water retention, salt intake, cell proliferation, and reactive oxygen stress, and also has a renoprotective effect. Thus, in the nonclassical RAS the ACE2-Ang 1-7-Mas axis counteracts the ACE-Ang Ⅱ-AT1 axis. This review examines recent human and animal studies about renal ACE and ACE2.     

Uneven Distribution of M. leprae in the skin of LL patients

In LL patients, the skin-slit smear examination from earlobe, forehead, elbow, wrist, thigh and ankIe revealed that the BI and count per field of M. leprae gradually decreased from earlobe to the ankle. Such uneven distribution is more evident at the beginning of the disease, Nose might act as a 'reserve pool' from where the M. leprae might migrate to different parts of the body. Lymph and blood might not be playing any role in transporting M. leprae from the nose to different sites of the skin. It is suggested that no carrier perhaps is involved in transporting M. leprae to different sites in the epidermis, but they might get thrusted mechanically from nose to other parts of the body i.e. from the site of higher density to neighbouring sites.     

INSTRUCTIONS TO AUTHORS

<正>GENERAL INFORMATION World Journal of Dermatology(World J Dermatol,WJD,online ISSN2218-6190,DOI:10.5314),is a peer-reviewed open access(OA)academic journal that aims to guide clinical practice and improve diagnostic and therapeutic skills of clinicians.Aims and scope WJD is to report rapidly new theories,methods and techniques for prevention,diagnosis,treatment,rehabilitation and nursing in the field of dermatology.WJD covers fungal diseases,dermatitis and eczema,urticarial diseases,drug eruptions,pruritus,erythroderma desquamativum,connective tissue diseases,bullous skin diseases,vascular skin diseases,skin appendage diseases,pigmentary diseases,