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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

Orofacial granulomatosis associated with Crohn's disease.

Orofacial granulomatosis (OFG) is a term used to describe swelling of the orofacial area, mainly in the lips, secondary to an underlying granulomatous inflammatory process. OFG has been reported in association with systemic conditions such as sarcoidosis and Crohn's disease (CD). OFG may precede gastrointestinal disease, such as CD, by several years and may be the only obvious focus of the disease.

Neurocristic cutaneous hamartoma of the scalp.

Neurocristic cutaneous hamartomas (NCHs) result from aberrant development of the neuromesenchyme. In addition to a dermal melanocytic component, these tumors can contain neuro sustentacular and fibrogenic components. The clinical importance of these lesions includes the potential for misdiagnosis as well as the development of malignant melanomas over a poorly described period of time.

Comprehensive understanding of idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis: clinical and histopathological correlation.

Background: The histological findings associated with idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis (IGH) are hyperkeratosis, an atrophic epidermis, and flattened rete ridges. In addition, a decreased melanin content and reduced numbers of melanocytes are reported features. However, there are few recent studies that have been published on the histopathology of IGH and no comparative studies are available on the skin lesions and perilesional skin of patients with IGH.

Clinical comparison of psoriasis in Korean adults and children: correlation with serum anti-streptolysin O titers.

Psoriasis is a relatively common disorder in children and can be triggered by an upper respiratory tract infection. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical features of psoriasis in children and adult. In addition, we evaluated the relationship between anti-streptolysin O (ASO) titers and the clinical features of psoriasis.