A Simple Score Scale Composed of Serum Inflammatory Factors Assists in Psoriasis Arthritis Prediction among Patients with Psoriasis Vulgaris.

To compare the levels of serum inflammatory indicators in psoriasis vulgaris patients who progress to PsA and those not, as well as to establish and validate a simple score scale for predicting PsA for psoriasis vulgaris patients. A cross-sectional study was performed at a university hospital in China to recruit five hundred and seventy-seven patients who had been diagnosed with psoriasis vulgaris for at least 10 years. After evaluation, 86 were enrolled in the PsA group, and the others were selected as the control group.

An ultrasensitive photo-driven self-powered aptasensor for microcystin-RR assay based on ZnInS/TiC MXenes integrated with a matching capacitor for multiple signal amplification.

A photo-driven self-powered aptasensor was constructed based on a matching capacitor and the ZnInS/TiC heterojunction as the photoanode and CuO as the photocathode in a dual-photoelectrode sensing matrix for multiple signal amplification for the ultrasensitive detection of microcystin-RR (MC-RR). The introduction of TiC MXene nanosheets on the photoanode surface can not only accelerate the transfer and separation of photoinduced electron/hole pairs, thus enhancing the output signal of the photo-driven self-powered system, but also provide a larger specific surface area for the immobilization of the bio-recognition unit aptamer. More importantly, for a portable and miniaturized device, a micro-workstation with the size of a universal serial bus (USB) disk and a novel short-circuit current access was proposed to capture the instantaneous output electrical signal for real-time data tracking.

Recent advances in shikonin for the treatment of immune-related diseases: Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory mechanisms.

Shikonin, the primary active compound found in the rhizome of the traditional Chinese medicinal herb known as "ZiCao", exhibits a diverse range of pharmacological effects. This drug has a wide range of uses, including as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-cancer agent. It is also effective in promoting wound healing and treating autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, diabetes, asthma, systemic lupus erythematosus, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Therapeutic Effects of Shikonin on Skin Diseases: A Review.

Shikonin is one of the primary active components extracted from the dried root of (), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Shikonin is known to not only exert anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-angiogenic activities, but also play a crucial role in triggering the production of reactive oxygen species, suppressing the release of exosomes, and inducing apoptosis. Increasing evidence suggests that shikonin has a protective effect against skin diseases, including psoriasis, melanoma, and hypertrophic scars.

Tazarotene/Betamethasone Dipropionate Cream in Patients with Plaque Psoriasis: Results of a Prospective, Multicenter, Observational Study.

Background: Topical agents are still the mainstay for the treatment of mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis, in which fixed combinations play an important role. Tazarotene/betamethasone dipropionate (Taz/BD) cream is a novel fixed combination approved for treating plaque psoriasis in China, but its efficacy and safety have not been verified in a real-world environment.

Objectives: The primary objective was to investigate the efficacy and safety of Taz/BD cream in treating plaque psoriasis.

Shikonin inhibits CEBPD downregulation in IL‑17‑treated HaCaT cells and in an imiquimod‑induced psoriasis model.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by well‑defined scaly papules and plaques. Interleukin (IL)‑17 is involved in its pathogenesis and promotes the proliferation of epidermal keratinocytes through signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) activation. Shikonin, a natural naphthoquinone isolated from Lithospermum erythrorhizon, possesses anti‑inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties and can suppress IL‑17‑induced vascular endothelial growth factor expression by inhibiting the JAK/STAT3 pathway.

Shikonin induces apoptosis and suppresses growth in keratinocytes via CEBP-δ upregulation.

Shikonin is an active compound of the oriental medicinal plant, Leptospermum erythrorhizon, which has been previously shown to inhibit psoriasis-like inflammation. However, the underlying mechanism is unclear. In the present study, the mechanisms of keratinocyte proliferation and apoptosis in psoriasis in response to shikonin were explored both in vitro and in vivo.

Shikonin Controls the Differentiation of CD4CD25 Regulatory T Cells by Inhibiting AKT/mTOR Pathway.

CD4CD25 regulatory T (Treg) cells maintain the function of immune tolerance and the balance of immune cells. Defects in the number and function of Treg cells can induce the development and progression of inflammatory disease. Shikonin, the main active ingredient of Lithospermum, has anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects.

A decade retrospective study of light/laser devices in treating nasal rosacea.

Large-scale retrospective studies of light/laser in treating nasal rosacea were lacking. The study was aimed to perform a decade retrospection of the patients with nasal rosacea who were treated with light/laser devices. A study between 2008 and 2017 was performed retrospectively.

miR‑203 contributes to IL‑17‑induced VEGF secretion by targeting SOCS3 in keratinocytes.

Interleukin (IL)-17 signaling serves an important role in the development and pathogenesis of psoriasis; a chronic skin disease characterized by increased dermal vascularity and the hyperproliferation of keratinocytes. microRNA (miR)‑203 is preferentially expressed in the skin and is an important regulator of keratinocyte differentiation. miR‑203 has been implicated in a number of skin diseases, including psoriasis.

Chinese herbal medicine Pill reduces exogenous glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis in anterior pituitary cells.

Long-term glucocorticoid use may result in sustained suppression of one or more secreted components from the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis, and often results in apoptosis. Pill (YGP), a 10-component traditional Chinese herbal medicine, has been shown to be clinically effective for glucocorticoid-induced suppression of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis. However, the pharmacological and molecular mechanisms remain unclear.

Shikonin inhibits IFN-γ-induced K17 over-expression of HaCaT cells by interfering with STAT3 signaling.

Objectives: We hypothesized that interferon-γ (IFN-γ) induces K17 over-expression in HaCaT cells by activating STAT3 and that Sh might inhibit the over-expression through interference of STAT3 signaling.

Methods: In vitro culture of HaCaT cells treated with IFN-γ and measurement of K17 protein by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: The level of K17 protein (one kind of keratin protein) in the supernatant induced by IFN-γ was significantly reduced by Shikonin at various concentrations.

The Use of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Some Dermatologic Diseases: Part II--Autoimmune Bullous Disorders and Lichen Planus.

Over the centuries, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine have traveled along parallel lines with no opportunity for collaboration. In recent decades, while an interest in TCM has been growing among Western clinicians, progress has been made in the comprehension of pathogenic mechanisms of skin disorders, and the communication between Western and Eastern medicines has become more and more intensive. In this paper, the authors discuss TCM remedies used in the treatment of autoimmune bullous disorders (pemphigus and bullous pemphigoid) and lichen planus.

The use of traditional Chinese medicine in some dermatologic diseases: Part I--Acne, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is increasingly being used in the Western world particularly in specialty areas such as gynecology, pediatrics, nutrition, and dermatology. TCM is an alternative method of therapy that proposes to treat symptoms that Western medicine is unable to manage by treating the underlying causes of disease. The authors provide a general overview of TCM remedies used in the treatment of various dermatologic disorders (acne, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis) for dermatologists interested in this unconventional therapeutic approach.

Photodynamic therapy in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background/purpose: This meta-analysis was designed to compare the efficacy, cosmetic outcome and safety of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with other procedures for the treatment of primary basal cell carcinoma (BCC).

Methods: A computerized search through electronic databases was performed to search for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published before October 2013. Only RCTs that compared PDT to non-PDT for patients with BCC were selected.

Both low-dose arotinoid ethylester and acitretin are effective in the treatment of familial erythrokeratodermia variabilis.

We previously reported a large Chinese pedigree of erythrokeratodermia variabilis (EKV). A unique feature was that some of the affected members experienced transitory pustules on the border of classic lesions. Here we prescribed oral arotinoid ethylester and acitretin to two of the affected members in the pedigree, at starting dosage of 0.

Shikonin suppresses IL-17-induced VEGF expression via blockage of JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

IL-17 signaling in keratinocytes plays an important role in psoriasis, which is a benign, chronic skin disease characterized by keratinocytes hyperproliferation and increased dermal vascularity. Shikonin, isolated from the traditional medical herbs Lithospermum erythrorhizon, has long been found to possess different medicinal properties such as antibacterial, improving wound healing, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects. However, the effects and mechanisms of shikonin on VEGF expression in keratinocytes mediated by IL-17 signaling, are still not fully clarified.

Treatment and mortality rate of bullous pemphigoid in China: a hospital-based study.

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) has been reported to be associated with significant morbidities and a considerable mortality rate. We retrospectively studied 94 patients with BP in a Chinese tertiary medical center between 2005 and 2010 to evaluate the treatment of BP and prognostic factors for the mortality of BP. Cerebrovascular diseases (42.

Immunohistological evaluation of skin responses after treatment using a fractional ultrapulse carbon dioxide laser on back skin.

Background And Objective: Fractional photothermolysis (FP) lasers have been widely used in treating photo-aged skin, acne scars, and other skin conditions. Although plenty of clinical data have demonstrated the efficacy of the FP laser, only limited histologic studies have been available to observe serial short- to long-term skin responses.

Methods: Seven healthy Chinese women received one pass of fractional carbon dioxide laser treatment on the left upper back.

Treatment of infraorbital dark circles using a low-fluence Q-switched 1,064-nm laser.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the low-fluence 1,064-nm Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (QSNY) laser in treating infraorbital dark circles.

Participants And Methods: Thirty women with infraorbital dark circles (predominant color dark brown) participated in this open-label study. Participants underwent eight sessions of low-fluence QSNY laser treatment at 4.

Localized linear IgA dermatosis induced by UV light-treatment for herpes zoster.

We report a case of localized linear IgA dermatosis (LID). The patient suffered from herpes zoster on the right waist and received three localized ultraviolet (UV) light treatments. One month later he presented with bullae on the same site.