Characterization and Scaled-Up Production of Azido-Functionalized Silk Fiber Produced by Transgenic Silkworms with an Expanded Genetic Code.

The creation of functional materials from renewable resources has attracted much interest. We previously reported on the genetic code expansion of the domesticated silkworm to functionalize silk fiber with synthetic amino acids such as 4-azido-L-phenylalanine (AzPhe). The azido groups act as selective handles for biorthogonal chemical reactions.

Case of pyoderma gangrenosum showing oral and genital ulcers, misdiagnosed as Behcet's disease at first medical examination.

It is occasionally difficult to distinguish between Behcet's disease (BD) and pyoderma gangrenous (PG). Our case showed ulcers of the oral, vaginal and perineal areas, and in the ileum, thus resulting in our initial diagnosis of BD. However, the patient showed a continued leukopenia, and she was subsequently diagnosed by bone marrow biopsy as having a myelodysplastic syndrome, which will sometimes accompany PG.

Erythropoietic protoporphyria with eye complications.

We herein report a case of erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) complicated by a decrease in eyesight that occurred in a Japanese male. An ophthalmologist initially thought that the eyesight loss might be the result of idiopathic optic nerve atrophy due to a vascular obstruction in the fundus. There are no previous reports of EPP cases with eye complications.

Characteristics of acquired reactive perforating collagenosis.

The status of the patient's associated disease can generally affect the onset or healing of acquired reactive perforating collagenosis (ARPC). We treated eight cases of ARPC and noted that the patients had similar findings. However, it was not clear why ARPC developed in the patients with these diseases.

Ulcerative lichen planus associated with Sjögren's syndrome.

Ulcerative lichen planus is a rare variant of lichen planus that is characterized by ulcerations of the feet and toes that are accompanied by toenail loss. However, the nail, oral mucosa, genital mucosa and the scalp are also sometimes affected by ulcerative lichen planus. Several authors have drawn attention to the association of ulcerative lichen planus and autoimmune diseases.

Pustulosis palmaris et plantaris with prominent hyperkeratosis of the soles.

A 50-year-old woman developed prominent hyperkeratosis on the soles and erythema of her extremities. In this instance it was clinically difficult to distinguish the palmoplantar lesions from psoriasis vulgaris. However, our case proved to be palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) because, on histology, the extra-palmoplantar lesions showed none of the typical findings of psoriasis vulgaris, there was a history of sternoclavicular joint pain, and the lesions improved after tonsillectomy.

Angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia affecting the nail bed and underlying bone.

A 69-year-old Japanese woman had a dark red, 1-cm nodule located in the nail bed of the middle toe of her right foot. An X-ray examination revealed an osteolytic lesion of the distal phalanx of the right middle toe. Histopathology showed a proliferation of blood vessels surrounded by epithelioid cells and an infiltration of many eosinophils and some inflammatory cells.

A 14-year-old girl with lichenoid sarcoidosis successfully treated with tacrolimus.

We report a case of lichenoid sarcoidosis in a young girl treated by oral tacrolimus and methylprednisolone. The patient had had a skin eruption from 1 year of age and had developed uveitis at 2 years of age. Her sight had become affected by the uveitis at 8 years of age.

A case of Henoch-Schonlein purpura temporarily improved by hemodialysis.

We report a case of Henoch-Schonlein purpura that occurred in an adult patient with end-stage renal disease on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and hemodialysis (HD). The patient's skin lesions clearly decreased in number during HD, but not during CAPD. This finding has not been previously reported.

Non-pigmented fixed drug eruption induced by eprazinone hydrochloride.

A 68-year-old woman developed an upper respiratory tract infection in November 2002 and was treated with eprazinone hydrochloride, serrapeptase, carbocysteine and clarithromycin. Three days after the start of treatment, the patient noted erythema on her axilla, buttock and inguinal regions. The erythema subsided in 7 days although slight pigmentation remained.

A case of bleomycin-induced acral erythema (AE) with eccrine squamous syringometaplasia (ESS) and summary of reports of AE with ESS in the literature.

Chemotherapy-induced acral erythema (AE) is primarily induced by hydroxyurea, methotrexate, and cytarabine, although there are rare reports of AE induced by combination chemotherapy containing bleomycin. It is thought that the accumulation of chemotherapeutic drugs in eccrine glands may cause eccrine squamous syringometaplasia (ESS), which is characterized by metaplasia and focal necrosis of the epithelium of the eccrine duct. ESS is occasionally detected in conjunction with AE, but such occurrences are relatively uncommon.

A case of vulvitis granulomatosa.

Merkersson-Rosenthal syndrome (MRS) is characterized by cheilitis or pareitis granulomatosa, facial palsy, and fissured tongue. Sometimes the forehead, eyelids and chin are involved, and occasionally genital lesions are present. A vulval lesion of MRS is named vulvitis granulomatosa.

Acquired reactive perforating collagenosis in a patient with lung fibrosis.

Reactive perforating collagenosis (RPC) is a rare disorder characterized by the transepidermal elimination of altered collagen. The inherited form of RPC begins in early childhood, but acquired reactive perforating collagenosis (ARPC) begins in adult life. ARPC is associated with diabetes mellitus, renal disease, and malignancy.

Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis (Ofuji disease) manifested as pustules on the palms and soles.

Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis (EPF) is clinically characterized by eosinophilic follicular papulopustules that form annular configurations on the face, trunk, and extremities. We describe a case of a patient whose EPF manifested on the soles of the feet, an area that normally does not contain hair follicles. The patient experienced a dramatic therapeutic response to indomethacin.