Comprehensive Genomic Characterization of Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Atopic Dermatitis Patients in Japan: Correlations with Disease Severity, Eruption Type, and Anatomical Site.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) shows frequent recurrence. Staphylococcus aureus is the primary microbial component in AD and is associated with disease activity. However, traditional typing methods have failed to characterize virulent AD isolates at the clone level.

Stratification of atopic dermatitis patients by patterns of response to proactive therapy with topical tacrolimus: low serum IgE levels and inadequately controlled disease activity at the start of treatment predict its failure.

Purpose: Topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCIs) are an important anti-inflammatory drug for treating atopic dermatitis (AD). However, those treatment responses are variable. In this study, we stratified AD patients by patterns of response to remission maintenance therapy (proactive therapy) with topical tacrolimus, a typical TCI.

Filaggrin-gene mutation has minimal effect on the disease severity in the lesions of atopic dermatitis.

Loss-of-function mutations of filaggrin (FLG) gene (FLG) are the strongest known genetic risk factor for atopic dermatitis (AD). It is still debatable how FLG gene mutations and the resulting abnormal amount of FLG protein contribute to skin barrier function and symptoms of AD. In this study, we examined the effects of loss-of-function mutations of FLG gene on the severity of skin lesions and skin barrier function in 55 patients with AD by evaluating eight patients with AD with FLG gene mutations and 47 patients with AD without mutations.

Identification of B.1.346 Lineage of SARS-CoV-2 in Japan: Genomic Evidence of Re-entry of Clade 20C.

SARS-CoV-2 whole-genome sequencing of samples from COVID-19 patients is useful for informing infection control. Datasets of these genomes assembled from multiple hospitals can give critical clues to regional or national trends in infection. Herein, we report a lineage summary based on data collected from hospitals located in the Tokyo metropolitan area.

Single nucleotide variations in genes associated with innate immunity are enriched in Japanese adult cases of face and neck type atopic dermatitis.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is heterogenous in terms of phenotype as well as genetic and environmental factors, while its associated genetic factors and pathophysiology are not fully understood.

Objective: We identify novel genetic factors enriched in a subgroup of AD patients with characteristic clinical features.

Methods: We clinically subgrouped 18 AD patients who exhibited distinctive characteristic of persistent skin eruption areas on the face and neck from 92 Japanese adult AD patients and identified disease-associated genetic factors enriched within the subgroup.

Japanese guidelines for atopic dermatitis 2020.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a disease characterized by relapsing eczema with pruritus as a primary lesion, which is frequently encountered in clinical practice. Skin barrier dysfunction leads to enhanced skin irritability to non-specific stimuli and epicutaneous sensitization. In the lesion site, a further inflammation-related reduction in skin barrier function, enhanced irritability and scratching-related stimuli deteriorate eczema, leading to vicious cycle of inflammation.

Investigator-initiated clinical study of a functional peptide, SR-0379, for limb ulcers of patients with Werner syndrome as a pilot study.

Aim: An investigator-initiated clinical study was carried out to evaluate the therapeutic potency of SR-0379 for the treatment of leg ulcers in patients with Werner syndrome.

Methods: A multicenter, open-label study was carried out from September 2017 to February 2018. The inclusion criteria for leg ulcers were: (i) leg ulcers in patients with Werner syndrome, diabetes or critical limb ischemia/venous stasis; and (ii) a wound size of >1 cm and <6 cm in diameter.

Aspergillus precipitating antibody in patients with Mycobacterium avium complex lung disease: A cross-sectional study.

Rationale: Little is known about the role of Aspergillus precipitating antibody (APAb) in patients with Mycobacterium avium complex lung disease (MAC-LD).

Objectives: We investigated the clinical characteristics of patients with MAC-LD positive for APAb.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study targeting patients with MAC-LD.

Physician-initiated clinical study of limb ulcers treated with a functional peptide, SR-0379: from discovery to a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

SR-0379 is a functional peptide that has wound healing effect with anti-microbial action, making it an ideal drug to prevent infection. To evaluate the safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of SR-0379 for the treatment of leg ulcers, a physician-initiated, phase I/IIa, first-in-patient clinical study was designed. A multi-center, double-blind, randomized clinical study was conducted from October 2015 to September 2016.

Type 2 Minocycline-induced hyperpigmentation successfully treated with the novel 755 nm picosecond alexandrite laser - a case report.

Background And Aim: Minocycline therapy for acne vulgaris is associated with the occasional induction of various types of unsightly and often persistent hyperpigmentation, which is frequently resistant to hydroquinone treatment. Pigment-specific lasers have achieved some success with multiple treatment sessions. Recently, the picosecond domain 755 nm alexandrite laser (ps-Alex) has attracted attention in tattoo removal.

Inflammation-free, gas-permeable, lightweight, stretchable on-skin electronics with nanomeshes.

Thin-film electronic devices can be integrated with skin for health monitoring and/or for interfacing with machines. Minimal invasiveness is highly desirable when applying wearable electronics directly onto human skin. However, manufacturing such on-skin electronics on planar substrates results in limited gas permeability.

Equivalence evaluation of moisturizers in atopic dermatitis patients.

Skin care with moisturizers to compensate for dry skin and decreased barrier function, and to prevent recurrence of inflammation is thought to be very important for management of atopic dermatitis. However, many patients cannot continue the use of moisturizing medications because of unpleasantness. Cosmetics may be able to compensate for such deficiencies.

Distinct behavior of human Langerhans cells and inflammatory dendritic epidermal cells at tight junctions in patients with atopic dermatitis.

Background: The stratum corneum and tight junctions (TJs) form physical barriers in the epidermis. Dendrites of activated Langerhans cells (LCs) extend beyond the TJs to capture external antigens in mice. LCs and inflammatory dendritic epidermal cells (IDECs) are observed in the skin of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD).

Filaggrin loss-of-function mutations are not a predisposing factor for atopic dermatitis in an Ishigaki Island under subtropical climate.

Background: Filaggrin (FLG) is a major protein component of the stratum corneum (SC) layer, and FLG loss-of-function mutations are a predisposing factor for atopic dermatitis (AD). Previous cohort studies of children from northern and western Europe have reported FLG loss-of-function mutation frequencies of 15.1-20.

Elimination of ketoprofen from the stratum corneum after topical administration with ketoprofen formulations in human subjects.

Purpose: To assess the drug concentrations and elimination rate of ketoprofen in the stratum corneum following topical administration of two different formulations in human subjects for reference in the risk management of photocontact dermatitis caused by topical ketoprofen.

Methods: Ketoprofen tape and gel were used as test formulations. The stratum corneum at the application sites was removed by tape-stripping at scheduled times after removal of the formulations.