Phenotypes of atopic dermatitis up to 36 months of age by latent class analysis and associated factors in Japan.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) in early childhood is the first allergic manifestation in the atopic march. Recently, latent class analysis (LCA) has revealed the presence of AD subgroups in childhood.

Objective: This study aimed to elucidate different AD phenotypes up to 36 months of age and identify factors associated with a particular AD phenotype in early childhood.

[A LONG PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY ON PREVALENCE OF ATOPIC DERMATITIS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD TO ADOLESCENCE].

Background: There are few prospective observational studies on the prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) in children. We aimed to prospectively investigate the dynamics of change in the prevalence of AD from early childhood to adolescence.

Methods: We conducted a survey with a modified questionnaire to diagnose AD based on The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire with 1230 13-year-old children who were born in the Minami ward, Yokohama City between May 2004 and June 2005 and had undergone physical examinations by dermatologists at 3 years of age.

Changes in the characteristics of patients with latex allergy from 1999 to 2014.

Objectives: We conducted a multicenter study using the same questionnaire in 1999 and 2014 to investigate changes in the characteristics of patients with latex allergy.

Methods: We mailed questionnaires on latex allergy to hospitals in Japan that were members of the Japanese Latex Allergy Society.

Results: We compared the 25 responses received in 2014 and the 81 responses received in 1999.

Japanese guidelines for occupational allergic diseases 2017.

In 2013, a guideline for occupational allergic diseases was published for the first time in Japan. Occupational allergic diseases are likely to worsen or become intractable as a result of continuous exposure to high concentrations of causative antigens, and are socioeconomically important diseases with which the patients might sometimes lose jobs due to work interruptions. Guidelines for occupational allergic diseases have been published in many countries.

Retrospective analysis of Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis in 87 Japanese patients--Treatment and outcome.

Background: Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are rare but severe adverse drug reactions with high mortality.

Methods: To present the clinical characteristics of SJS and TEN in Japan and evaluate the efficacy of treatments, we retrospectively analyzed cases of SJS and TEN treated in 2 university hospitals during 2000-2013.

Results: Fifty-two cases of SJS (21 males and 31 females; average age, 55.

Predictive Factors Associated With Acute Ocular Involvement in Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis.

Purpose: To suggest an objective score for grading the acute ocular severity of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and to determine predictive factors for severe acute ocular involvement such as ocular surface epithelial defect and/or pseudomembrane formation.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Methods: The medical records of SJS (n = 87) and TEN (n = 48) patients between 2005 and 2007 were reviewed.

Effects of oral administration of Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92 on the symptoms and serum cytokines of atopic dermatitis in Japanese adults: a double-blind, randomized, clinical trial.

Objectives: Several studies on lactobacilli have demonstrated they are effective against atopic dermatitis (AD) in children, but there are very few reports of their effects in adults. We investigated the changes in AD symptoms in adults after the ingestion of the Lactobacillus acidophilus strain L-92 (L-92), which has been shown to have a curative effect on AD in children.

Methods: A double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled comparison was performed on 49 AD patients aged ≥16 years using heat-killed L-92.

Independent strong association of HLA-A*02:06 and HLA-B*44:03 with cold medicine-related Stevens-Johnson syndrome with severe mucosal involvement.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and its severe variant, toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), are acute inflammatory vesiculobullous reactions of the skin and mucous membranes. Cold medicines including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and multi-ingredient cold medications are reported to be important inciting drugs. We used two sample sets of Japanese patients to investigate the association between HLA genotypes and cold medicine-related SJS/TEN (CM-SJS/TEN), including acetaminophen-related SJS/TEN (AR-SJS/TEN) with severe mucosal involvement such as severe ocular surface complications (SOC).

Japanese Guideline for Occupational Allergic Diseases 2014.

In 2013, a guideline for occupational allergic diseases was published for the first time in Japan. Occupational allergic diseases are likely to worsen or become intractable as a result of continuous exposure to high concentrations of causative antigens, and are socioeconomically important diseases with which the patients might sometimes lose jobs due to work interruptions. Guidelines for occupational allergic diseases have been published in many countries.

The transcription factor IRF8 counteracts BCR-ABL to rescue dendritic cell development in chronic myelogenous leukemia.

BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) have dramatically improved therapy for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). However, several problems leading to TKI resistance still impede a complete cure of this disease. IFN regulatory factor-8 (IRF8) is a transcription factor essential for the development and functions of immune cells, including dendritic cells.

Specific HLA types are associated with antiepileptic drug-induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis in Japanese subjects.

Aim: This preliminary study investigated genomic biomarkers for Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), related to three antiepileptic drugs, zonisamide, phenobarbital and phenytoin.

Patients & Methods: HLA class I and HLA-DRB1 loci were genotyped for Japanese patients with zonisamide-, phenobarbital- or phenytoin-induced SJS/TEN (n = 12, 8 and 9, respectively) and for healthy Japanese volunteers (n = 2878).

Results: Carrier frequencies of HLA-A*02:07 in patients with zonisamide-induced SJS/TEN and in the general Japanese population were 41.

Serum periostin levels are correlated with progressive skin sclerosis in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Background: Periostin, a matricellular protein, serves as a regulator of wound healing and fibrosis. The role of periostin in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc) is unknown.

Objective: To determine periostin levels in association with severity of skin fibrosis in patients with SSc.

Decreased expression of semaphorin-3A, a neurite-collapsing factor, is associated with itch in psoriatic skin.

Pruritus is a common symptom of psoriasis, which affects quality of life. This symptom accompanies the hyper-innervation of sensory C-fibres in psoriatic lesions. Two extracellular molecules, nerve growth factor (NGF) and semaphorin-3A, regulate C-fibre extension.

Oral administration of collagen tripeptide improves dryness and pruritus in the acetone-induced dry skin model.

Background: Dry skin causes pruritus and discomfort in patients with xerosis and atopic dermatitis. General treatment for skin dryness involves the topical application of an emollient. However, more effective, simpler therapies are desired.