Primary Merkel cell carcinoma of the earlobe in a young healthy man.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an uncommon neuroendocrine cutaneous tumor with poor prognosis. It has the high rate of recurrence, mortality, regional nodal involvement, and distant metastases. It is difficult to diagnose MCC because of its non-specific clinical findings.

Genome sequence of Jatropha curcas L., a non-edible biodiesel plant, provides a resource to improve seed-related traits.

Jatropha curcas (physic nut), a non-edible oilseed crop, represents one of the most promising alternative energy sources due to its high seed oil content, rapid growth and adaptability to various environments. We report ~339 Mbp draft whole genome sequence of J. curcas var.

PELI1 Selectively Targets Kinase-Active RIP3 for Ubiquitylation-Dependent Proteasomal Degradation.

Receptor-interacting protein kinase-3 (RIP3 or RIPK3) is a central protein in necroptosis, but posttranslational processes that regulate RIP3 activity and stability remain poorly understood. Here, we identify pellino E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1 (PELI1) as an E3 ligase that targets RIP3 for proteasome-dependent degradation. Phosphorylation of RIP3 on T182 leads to interaction with the forkhead-associated (FHA) domain of PELI1 and PELI1-mediated K48-linked polyubiquitylation of RIP3 on K363.

Metastatic Blue Nevus-Like Melanoma Detected by Liquid-Based Catheterized Urine Cytology.

Primary or metastatic malignant melanoma can mimic benign blue nevus in rare cases, making the diagnosis challenging. Herein, we report an exceptionally rare case of blue nevus-like melanoma and its blue nevus-like metastasis which was detected by catheterized urine cytology. The patient presented with blue-colored papuloplaques on his temple which were diagnosed as blue nevus-like melanoma on punch biopsies.

Photodynamic therapy inhibits melanogenesis through paracrine effects by keratinocytes and fibroblasts.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment option for skin cancer and premalignant skin diseases and exhibits rejuvenation effects, including reducing fine wrinkles and whitening, on aged skin. In this study, we investigated the mechanism underlying the whitening effects of PDT on melanocytes (MCs) in vitro and in vivo. Exposure of MCs to PDT in vitro reduced their melanin content and tyrosinase activity without, however, affecting cell survival.

Low-Level Light Therapy with 410 nm Light Emitting Diode Suppresses Collagen Synthesis in Human Keloid Fibroblasts: An Study.

Background: Keloids are characterized by excessive collagen deposition in the dermis, in which transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)/Smad signaling plays an important role. Low-level light therapy (LLLT) is reported as effective in preventing keloids in clinical reports, recently. To date, studies investigating the effect of LLLT on keloid fibroblasts are extremely rare.

Histopathological Differential Diagnosis of Psoriasis and Seborrheic Dermatitis of the Scalp.

Background: The differential diagnosis of psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis can be difficult when both conditions are localized to the scalp without the involvement of other skin sites.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the histopathological differences between psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis on the scalp and identify favorable criteria for their differential diagnosis.

Methods: We evaluated 15 cases of psoriasis and 20 cases of seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp that had been clinicopathologically diagnosed.

Epithelial-mesenchymal interaction during photodynamic therapy-induced photorejuvenation.

Recently, several clinical studies reported that the photodynamic therapy (PDT) has photorejuvenation effects on the aged skin. Previously, our group introduced evidence of direct effect of PDT on cultured fibroblast (FB). PDT directly stimulated FBs and induced collagen synthesis through activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase.

Prevention of Thyroidectomy Scars in Asian Adults With Low-Level Light Therapy.

Background: Abnormal wound-healing after thyroidectomy with a resulting scar is a common dermatologic consultation. Despite many medical and surgical approaches, prevention of postoperative scars is challenging.

Objective: This study validated the efficacy and safety of low-level light therapy (LLLT) using an 830/590 nm light-emitting diode (LED)-based device for prevention of thyroidectomy scars.

Genomic resources in mungbean for future breeding programs.

Among the legume family, mungbean (Vigna radiata) has become one of the important crops in Asia, showing a steady increase in global production. It provides a good source of protein and contains most notably folate and iron. Beyond the nutritional value of mungbean, certain features make it a well-suited model organism among legume plants because of its small genome size, short life-cycle, self-pollinating, and close genetic relationship to other legumes.

Upregulated RIP3 Expression Potentiates MLKL Phosphorylation-Mediated Programmed Necrosis in Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a severe adverse drug reaction involving extensive keratinocyte death in the epidermis. Histologically, the skin from TEN patients exhibits separation at the dermo-epidermal junction and accompanying necrosis of epidermal keratinocytes. Receptor-interacting protein kinase-3 (RIP3 or RIPK3) is an essential part of the cellular machinery that executes "programmed", or "regulated", necrosis and has a key role in spontaneous cell death and inflammation in keratinocytes under certain conditions.

Photodynamic therapy in Bowen disease of the first web space of the hand.

Bowen disease (BD), or intraepithelial squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), may progress to an invasive SCC. Although surgery is preferred because of the low recurrence rate, it can result in hypertrophic scarringor contracture, particularly in lesions on the hands. We report a case of BD in the first web space of the hand, which was treated with ablative fractional laser-assisted photodynamic therapy (AFXL-assisted PDT).

Draft genome sequence of adzuki bean, Vigna angularis.

Adzuki bean (Vigna angularis var. angularis) is a dietary legume crop in East Asia. The presumed progenitor (Vigna angularis var.

Huge Bowen's disease: a pitfall of topical photodynamic therapy.

Bowen's disease (BD) is one of the major histological types of nonmelanoma skin cancer. With challengeable "multiple and large" patches of BD, topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been considered as a first-line effective modality for decades. However, there was no general consensus among authors about the definition of "large BD".

Photodynamic therapy with ablative carbon dioxide fractional laser for treating Bowen disease.

Background: Topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been increasingly used to treat malignant skin tumors including the Bowen disease. However, patients could be displeased with the long incubation time required for conventional PDT.

Objective: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of PDT with a short incubation time of ablative CO2 fractional laser pretreatment for treating Bowen disease.

Toll-like receptors and antimicrobial peptides expressions of psoriasis: correlation with serum vitamin D level.

To evaluate the association of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and vitamin D receptors (VDRs) in psoriasis, lesional (PP) and perilesional skin (PN) from psoriasis, atopic dermatitis (AD) patients and healthy controls (NN) were studied by immunohistochemistry. Compared with PN, AD and NN skin, dysregulated expression of TLRs, AMPs and VDR was detected in PP skin. Noteworthy, our results showed altered correlation between TLR2 and VDR expression in PP and PN skin.