Clinical characteristics and histopathologic changes of morphea: A single-center, retrospective study of 137 patients.

Background: The clinicopathologic correlations and prognostic risk factors for refractory disease in morphea (localized scleroderma) are poorly described.

Objective: To investigate the association between clinical characteristics and histopathologic features of morphea and identify risk factors for refractory disease.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and histopathologic features, treatment regimens, and clinical responses for 137 patients with biopsy-proven morphea from January 2008 to May 2019.

Metformin Inhibits Transforming Growth Factor β-Induced Fibrogenic Response of Human Dermal Fibroblasts and Suppresses Fibrosis in Keloid Spheroids.

Accumulation of excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) and aberrant transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling pathway function can be potential therapeutic targets for keloid treatment. In this study, we examined the antifibrotic effect of metformin as a suppressor of TGF-β signaling pathways in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) and keloid spheroids. Human dermal fibroblasts were stimulated with TGF-β (10 ng/mL) and treated with metformin (10 mM).

Randomized controlled study for the anti-aging effect of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide after laser therapy.

Background: Recent advancements in laser-assisted drug delivery have emphasized the importance of post-laser use of active ingredients.

Aims: We evaluated the effect of topical post-laser treatment with adipocyte-derived stem cell-containing medium (ADSC-CM) in combination with niacinamide through a double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled study.

Patients/methods: Twenty-five patients with aging skin underwent ablative fractional laser (AFL) treatment on both sides of the face for skin rejuvenation.

Cynaroside protects human periodontal ligament cells from lipopolysaccharide-induced damage and inflammation through suppression of NF-κB activation.

Objective: To investigate whether cynaroside protects human periodontal ligament (hPDL) cells from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced damage and inflammation and to analyze the underlying mechanism.

Methods: LPS was used to stimulate hPDL and RAW264.7 cells.

Hair growth promotion by necrostatin-1s.

Necrostatins (Necs) have been developed as a receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) inhibitor, thus inhibiting necroptosis. In this current study, we have investigated the possible involvement of necroptosis in the hair cycle regulation and further examined its underlying molecular mechanisms. Diverse RIPK1/3 inhibitors and siRNA were tested in the human outer-root sheath (ORS) cells and animal models.

Tissue-remodelling M2 Macrophages Recruits Matrix Metallo-proteinase-9 for Cryotherapy-induced Fibrotic Resolution during Keloid Treatment.

Cryotherapy is used to treat keloid scars; however, the molecular and pathological mechanisms are not clearly understood. This study retrospectively evaluated the efficacy of combined treatment with cryotherapy and intralesional triamcinolone injection (Cryo+TA) or intralesional TA monotherapy (TA) in 40 Asian patients with keloid scars. Scar improvement was assessed using the Vancouver Scar Scale and Global Improvement Scale.

Π electron-stabilized polymeric micelles potentiate docetaxel therapy in advanced-stage gastrointestinal cancer.

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are among the most lethal malignancies. The treatment of advanced-stage GI cancer involves standard chemotherapeutic drugs, such as docetaxel, as well as targeted therapeutics and immunomodulatory agents, all of which are only moderately effective. We here show that Π electron-stabilized polymeric micelles based on PEG-b-p(HPMAm-Bz) can be loaded highly efficiently with docetaxel (loading capacity up to 23 wt%) and potentiate chemotherapy responses in multiple advanced-stage GI cancer mouse models.

PDSS2-Del2, a new variant of PDSS2, promotes tumor cell metastasis and angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma via activating NF-κB.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is among the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Our previous study identified a novel alternative splicing variant of prenyl diphosphate synthase subunit 2 (PDSS2) in HCC characterized by a deletion of exon 2, named PDSS2-Del2, which is devoid of the tumor-suppressive function of full-length PDSS2 (PDSS2-FL). To better understand the clinical significance of PDSS2-Del2, we performed a BaseScope™ assay on an HCC tissue microarray and found that positive staining for PDSS2-Del2 predicted a worse overall survival in patients with HCC (P = 0.

-derived extracellular vesicles induce anti-inflammatory M2 macrophage polarization .

Probiotics offer various health benefits. has been used for decades to enhance human intestinal mucosal immunity and improve skin barrier integrity. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from eukaryotic or prokaryotic cells have been recognized as efficient carriers for delivery of biomolecules to recipient cells, and to efficiently regulate human pathophysiology.

Development of evidence-based consensus on critical issues in the management of patients with vitiligo: A modified Delphi study.

Background/purpose: Vitiligo remains a major challenge in dermatology. However, much of the treatment remains unclear, because little evidence is available. We sought to answer some critical questions pertaining to management of vitiligo patients.

Physiological and symbiotic variation of a long-term evolved Rhizobium strain under alkaline condition.

Physiological variation and adaptation of the long-term evolved rhizobia to alkaline environments where no host plant existence and the stability of their symbiotic properties when they are reinoculated to legume host remain unclear. A highly effective N-fixing Rhizobium yanglingense strain CCBAU 01603 was used as the ancestral strain and was cultured continuously with/without addition of extra alkaline reagent (KOH) in laboratory conditions for approximately 500 generations. Total 60 evolved clones obtained were checked for their adaptation to higher alkaline pH level and inoculated to their host plant Caragana microphylla to evaluate their symbiotic efficiencies.

Correction: Yao, Y., et al. Activation of Slit2/Robo1 Signaling Promotes Tumor Metastasis in Colorectal Carcinoma through Activation of the TGF-β/Smads Pathway. 2019, , 635.

The author wishes to make the following correction to this paper [...

Inhibition of Wnt signaling pathway suppresses radiation-induced dermal fibrosis.

Progressive fibrosis of the dermal tissues is a challenging complication of radiotherapy whose underlying mechanism is not fully understood, and there are few available treatments. The canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays an important role in fibrosis as well as in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). We investigated whether inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling with sLRP6E1E2, a molecule that binds to extracellular Wnt ligands, ameliorated radiation-induced fibrosis both in vitro and in vivo.

The Effect of Conditioned Media From Human Adipocyte-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Androgenetic Alopecia After Nonablative Fractional Laser Treatment.

Background: The conditioned media from adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cells-conditioned media (ADSC-CM) contains cytokines and growth factors that stimulate hair regeneration.

Objective: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of human ADSC-CM treatment on patients who underwent nonablative fractional laser for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (AGA).

Materials And Methods: Thirty patients who underwent nonablative fractional laser treatment were topically administered either ADSC-CM or placebo solution.

Trp53 regulates platelets in bone marrow via the PI3K pathway.

The p53 gene is well known as a key tumor suppressor gene; it is vital for hematopoietic stem cell differentiation and growth. In the present study, the change of platelets (PLTs) in p53 knockout mice (p53 mice) was investigated. The peripheral blood cell subsets and PLT parameters in p53mice were compared with those in age-matched p53 mice.

SLIT2 Overexpression in Periodontitis Intensifies Inflammation and Alveolar Bone Loss, Possibly via the Activation of MAPK Pathway.

SLIT2, a member of neuronal guidance cues, has been reported to regulate inflammation and cancer progression. Periodontitis is an oral inflammatory disease that degenerates periodontal tissue, alveolar bone and tooth. This study aims to explore the expression pattern of SLIT2 in periodontitis and its role in disease progression and bone loss.

Erratum: Andrographolide Suppress Tumor Growth by Inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB Signaling Activation in Insulinoma: Erratum.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.7723.

Uremic solutes of indoxyl sulfate and -cresol enhance protease-activated receptor-2 expression in vitro and in vivo in keratinocytes.

Objectives: Uremic pruritus is common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The retention of uremic solutes is thought to be associated with uremic pruritus. Meanwhile, activation of protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) has been suggested to play an important role in pruritus.