Minimal residual disease in hypopigmented mycosis fungoides.

We describe the case of a 13-year-old boy with stage I hypopigmented mycosis fungoides in whom minimal residual disease was detected with T-cell receptor gamma-polymerase chain reaction after the disease was in complete clinical remission. We further cloned and sequenced the T-cell receptor gamma-polymerase chain reaction product of the lesion in remission and found that the original T-cell clone still existed in decreased amounts. The patient was followed up for 3 1/2 years without any new lesions developing.

Enhanced cell survival of melanocyte spheroids in serum starvation condition.

Autologous melanocyte transplantation for vitiligo treatment by use of melanocyte suspension has drawbacks including cell damage in cell preparation and transportation, difficult manipulation and low engraftment rate in acral vitiligious lesions. We have proposed the concept of cellular patch as an alternative solution. In the development of melanocyte patches, we have shown that chitosan membrane supports the growth and phenotype expression of melanocytes.

Cutaneous metaplastic synovial cyst: unusual presentation with "a bag of worms".

Background: Cutaneous metaplastic synovial cyst (CMSC) is a rare cystic tumor that is unfamiliar to most dermatologists. A traumatic history usually precedes its onset. CMSC is often misdiagnosed as suture granuloma clinically.

HLA-Cw6 specificity and polymorphic residues are associated with susceptibility among Chinese psoriatics in Taiwan.

Previous serotyping in Chinese patients has failed to confirm an association between HLA-Cw6 and psoriasis. As serotyping has proved to be less valuable in the determination of HLA-C, genotyping of HLA-C in 68 Taiwanese psoriasis vulgaris (PSV) patients was performed using polymerase chain reaction/sequence-specific oligonucleotide probe hybridization (PCR-SSOPH) of HLA-Cw genes. Compared to 213 non-PSV control subjects, HLA-Cw6 was significantly associated with PSV (16.