Alternative therapy for autosensitization dermatitis.

During outdoor activities, Dendrocnide meyeniana can induce severe acute dermatitis, which usually needs topical or systemic corticosteroids, and oral antihistamine to alleviate associated symptoms such as exudation, pruritus or burning sensation. In this paper we report a 14-year-old male, with autosensitization dermatitis caused by Dendrocnide meyeniana, who had erythematous papules accompanied by itching and stinging sensations over left inner elbow first and then extended to the trunk and limbs. Based on the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and pharmacological studies, the combined formula of Xiao-feng-san (XFS) and Huang-lian-jie-du-tang (HLJDT) was prescribed in the form of concentrated herbal extracts per oral.

Intense pulsed light effects on the expression of extracellular matrix proteins and transforming growth factor beta-1 in skin dermal fibroblasts cultured within contracted collagen lattices.

Background: Emerging clinical evidence suggests that intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment may exert some beneficial effects on photoaged skin. The molecular mechanisms underlying this IPL effect have not been fully elucidated.

Objective: To examine the effects of IPL irradiation on normal human dermal fibroblasts grown in contracted collagen lattices.

Anti-enterovirus 71 activity screening of chinese herbs with anti-infection and inflammation activities.

Antipyretic and toxin-eliminating traditional Chinese herbs are believed to possess antiviral activity. In this study, we screened extracts of 22 herbs for activity against enterovirus 71 (EV71). We found that only extracts of Houttuynia cordata Thunb.

Clinical assessment of patients with recalcitrant psoriasis in a randomized, observer-blind, vehicle-controlled trial using indigo naturalis.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of treatment with indigo naturalis in patients with recalcitrant plaque-type psoriasis.

Design: Randomized, observer-blind, vehicle-controlled, intrapatient comparison study.

Setting: Ambulatory department of a hospital.

The efficacy and safety of topically applied indigo naturalis ointment in patients with plaque-type psoriasis.

Background: It has been reported in the Chinese literature that indigo naturalis exhibits potential antipsoriatic effects in systemic therapy.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of topically applied indigo naturalis on treating plaque-type psoriasis and to analyze the histological change in skin tissues.

Methods: Fourteen patients with chronic plaque psoriasis were enrolled.

Successful treatment of pediatric psoriasis with Indigo naturalis composite ointment.

The treatment of psoriasis in children is still an intractable problem and demands a long-term therapy with prolonged efficacy that is free from serious adverse events. Many modes of therapy are currently in use but the disease is often resistant to treatment owing to the unacceptable toxicity that leads to poor compliance. Therefore, to develop an alternative treatment is indispensable.

Early congenital syphilis and erythema multiforme-like bullous targetoid lesions in a 1-day-old newborn: detection of Treponema pallidum genomic DNA from the targetoid plaque using nested polymerase chain reaction.

A 1-day-old male newborn was born with respiratory distress, low birth weight, hepatosplenomegaly, and bullous targetoid skin lesions over the face, back, buttocks, and extremities. A diagnosis of early congenital syphilis was made based on a treponemal serologic test. Pathologic examination of the skin lesion showed scattered dyskeratotic cells in the epidermis and interface dermatitis consistent with erythema multiforme.

Phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK in an early entry step of enterovirus 71.

Viruses have been known to subvert the anti-apoptotic pathways of the host cell in order to delay apoptosis. However, the mechanisms utilized by enterovirus 71 (EV71) to mediate anti-apoptotic activity remained undetermined. We observed that EV71 infection induced an early activation of both phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and MAPK/ERK signaling pathways.

Intense pulsed light for the treatment of refractory melasma in Asian persons.

Background: Patients with dermal or mixed-type melasmas are often refractory to various treatments. Intense pulsed light has been used to treat melanocytic lesions with promising results.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to clarify the effectiveness of intense pulsed light for refractory melasma in Asian persons.

Effects of UVR and UVR-induced cytokines on production of extracellular matrix proteins and proteases by dermal fibroblasts cultured in collagen gels%.

Synthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and their degradation by matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are part of the dermal remodeling resulting from chronic exposure of skin to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). We have compared two alternative mechanisms for these responses, namely, a direct mechanism in which UV-B or UV-A is absorbed by fibroblasts and an indirect mechanism in which cytokines, produced in skin in response to UVR, stimulate production of the ECM proteins and MMP. These studies were carried out on human dermal fibroblasts grown in contracted, free-floating 9 day old collagen gels as a dermal equivalent.

Efficacy and safety of topically applied tacrolimus ointment in patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis.

Background: Tacrolimus is a T-cell-selective cytokine inhibitor. The topical formulation was specifically developed for treating inflammatory skin diseases, including atopic dermatitis (AD). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of topically applied tacrolimus ointment (Protopic) in treating Taiwanese patients with moderate to severe AD.

Clinicopathologic features of skin reactions to temporary tattoos and analysis of possible causes.

Background: Recently, temporary paint-on tattoos have become increasingly popular as a safe alternative to permanent tattoos in Asia and other regions. The most common dye for such temporary tattoos is henna, a vegetable dye. Henna is considered to possess low allergenicity because the incidence of allergic contact dermatitis to henna has rarely been reported.