Scleromyxedema with multiple systemic involvement: Successful treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin.

Scleromyxedema is a rare connective tissue disorder characterized by a generalized lichenoid eruption and sclerodermoid induration with histologic features of dermal mucin deposition. A 44-year-old man presented with a 3-year history of generalized progressive skin thickening and sclerosis. He had diffuse skin-colored to erythematous firm papules coalescing into indurated plaques over his whole body.

Association between Homocysteine Levels and Psoriasis: A Meta-Analysis.

Background: Psoriasis is a multifactorial disease associated with an increased risk for metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. Elevated levels of homocysteine (Hcy) are a marker of cardiovascular risk. Several studies have evaluated the associations between psoriasis and Hcy levels; however, the results remain inconclusive.

Clinicopathologic Features and Prognostic Factors of Primary Cutaneous Melanoma: a Multicenter Study in Korea.

Background: Malignant melanoma is a cutaneous malignancy with a high mortality rate and high potential for metastases. Detailed information on the clinicopathologic characteristics and prognostic factors of cutaneous melanoma is currently limited in Korea. This study aimed to identify the epidemiological and clinicopathologic characteristics of primary cutaneous melanoma in Korean patients, and to assess which prognostic variables could influence both the development of metastases in primary cutaneous melanoma and overall survival (OS).

Comparison of the Efficacy of Azithromycin Versus Doxycycline in Acne Vulgaris: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Acne vulgaris is one of the most common disorders of the pilosebaceous unit. Although doxycycline is considered to be a first-line anti-acne antibiotic, various other antibiotics have been tried due to its adverse effects and contraindications. We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the efficacy of oral azithromycin pulse therapy with that of oral daily doxycycline in the management of moderate to severe acne vulgaris.

Sox9 is a β-catenin-regulated transcription factor that enhances the colony-forming activity of squamous cell carcinoma cells.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a common skin cancer, of which the incidence is relatively high, ranking second among the non‑melanoma skin cancers. It is known that numerous intracellular signal regulators are involved in the pathogenesis of SCC. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway serves an important role in cancer development.

Regulation of lipid production by light-emitting diodes in human sebocytes.

Light-emitting diodes (LED) have been used to treat acne vulgaris. However, the efficacy of LED on sebaceous lipid production in vitro has not been examined. This study investigated the efficacy of 415 nm blue light and 630 nm red light on lipid production in human sebocytes.

Roles of TLR7 in activation of NF-κB signaling of keratinocytes by imiquimod.

Imiquimod is known to exert its effects through Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) and/or TLR8, resulting in expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Keratinocytes have not been reported to constitutively express TLR7 and TLR8, and the action of imiquimod is thought to be mediated by the adenine receptor, not TLR7 or TLR8. In this study, we revealed the expression of TLR7 in keratinocytes after calcium-induced differentiation.

Clinical Features of Systemic Contact Dermatitis Due to the Ingestion of Lacquer in the Province of Chungcheongnam-do.

Background: Lacquer contains an allergen, which can cause severe contact dermatitis. Systemic dermatitis resulting from the ingestion of lacquer is quite common in Korea, until now.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to elucidate the clinical features and laboratory findings of systemic contact dermatitis (SCD), due to the ingestion of lacquer in Chungcheongnam-do.

Efficacy and safety of 1,064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser treatment for removing melanocytic nevi.

Background: Until recently, the removal of melanocytic nevi has been performed with a CO(2) laser or Er:YAG laser. These lasers have been useful for removing affected spots. However, enlargement of spots or some sequelae, including depressed or hypertrophic scars, could develop as unwanted results.

Prurigo pigmentosa in Korea: clinicopathological study.

Background: Prurigo pigmentosa (PP) is an inflammatory dermatosis characterized by recurrent pruritic erythematous papules, mainly located on the trunk. It was first described by Nagashima in 1971 in Japan. Since then, more than 300 cases have been reported in Japan, but reports from other parts of the world are quite rare.

A case of zoster duplex bilateralis.

The skin lesions of herpes zoster are classically limited to a single dermatome and most cases of multidermatomal herpes zoster have contiguous skin lesions. Simultaneous involvement of two noncontiguous dermatomes is very rare and it has been referred to as zoster duplex unilateralis or bilateralis, depending whether one or both halves of the body are involved. A 67-year-old woman presented with a group of painful vesicles on the right buttock and thigh, and left anterior chest and back.

A case of eczema herpeticum with hailey-hailey disease.

Eczema herpeticum is the dissemination of herpes simplex virus in the setting of a preexisting skin disease. Hailey-Hailey disease [familial benign chronic pemphigus] is a blistering dermatosis that is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait and it usually presents itself around the third or fourth decades. Coexistence of eczema herpeticum and Hailey-Hailey disease is an infrequent occurrence.

Expression of heat shock protein 105 and 70 in malignant melanoma and benign melanocytic nevi.

Background: Heat shock proteins (HSPs) restore immature proteins or denatured proteins, thus protecting cells. Also, the expression of some HSPs is elevated substantially in malignant tumors, but the expression of HSPs in association with melanoma has yet to be studied. Therefore, we examined the expression patterns of HSP 70 and 105 in melanoma, benign melanocytic nevi and normal human skin.

Expression of Heat Shock Protein 70 in Human Skin Cells as a Photoprotective Function after UV Exposure.

Background: Human skin is exposed to various environmental stresses, such as heat, cold, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) induced by temperature elevations, as a physiologic response to mediate repair mechanisms and reduce cellular damage.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the induction of HSPs in human skin cells after UV exposure.

A Case of Malignant Eccrine Poroma Developing on the Suprapubic Area.

Malignant eccrine poroma is a rare skin appendageal tumor arising from the intraepidermal ductal portion of the eccrine sweat gland. It may develop either spontaneously or from a long-standing eccrine poroma. It usually affects the aged and is located most commonly on lower extremities.

The expression of melanogenic proteins in Korean skin after ultraviolet irradiation.

For proper melanin production, several specific enzymes such as tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1) and dopachrome tautomerase are required. Their expressions are increased after exposure to UVB. However, it is not known how long tyrosinase and TRP-1 activities continue after UV irradiation in vivo.