Shikonin induces apoptosis and suppresses growth in keratinocytes via CEBP-δ upregulation.

Shikonin is an active compound of the oriental medicinal plant, Leptospermum erythrorhizon, which has been previously shown to inhibit psoriasis-like inflammation. However, the underlying mechanism is unclear. In the present study, the mechanisms of keratinocyte proliferation and apoptosis in psoriasis in response to shikonin were explored both in vitro and in vivo.

Trichostatin A‑induced miR‑30a‑5p regulates apoptosis and proliferation of keloid fibroblasts via targeting BCL2.

Keloids are benign fibrous overgrowths that occur as a result of abnormal wound healing following cutaneous injury. MicroRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) are short non‑coding RNAs that serve critical roles in numerous important biological processes, such as cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. However, their role in keloid development remains largely unknown.

Shikonin Controls the Differentiation of CD4CD25 Regulatory T Cells by Inhibiting AKT/mTOR Pathway.

CD4CD25 regulatory T (Treg) cells maintain the function of immune tolerance and the balance of immune cells. Defects in the number and function of Treg cells can induce the development and progression of inflammatory disease. Shikonin, the main active ingredient of Lithospermum, has anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects.

Association of positive and negative autologous serum skin test responses with clinical features of chronic spontaneous urticaria in Asian patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Previous studies on the correlation between positive autologous serum skin test (ASST) responses and the clinical features of patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) have provided conflicting results. To evaluate the significance of ASST responses in CSU, a variety of databases were searched from inception to March 2018 to identify relevant studies on CSU. Data were analyzed with use of the Cochrane Collaboration's Review Manager 5.

Efficacy and Safety of a Sublative Bipolar Fractional Radiofrequency System Combined With Topical Tretinoin in Treating Striae Gravidarum: A Randomized Pilot Study.

Background: Striae gravidarum is a common skin condition resulting after pregnancy, caused by fibroblast dysfunction. Although not considered a disease, it may be considered cosmetically unpleasant to sufferers and remains as a therapeutic challenge to date.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a sublative bipolar fractional radiofrequency (FRF) system, associated with 0.

Pomegranate () Phenolics Ameliorate Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Stress and Cytotoxicity in Human Keratinocytes.

Pomegranate phenolics have been reported to exert skin beneficial effects but their mechanisms of action remain unclear. Herein, we investigated a standardized commercial pomegranate extract (PE; Pomella®) and its phenolics including punicalagin (PA), ellagic acid (EA), and urolithin A (UA) for their protective effects against hydrogen peroxide (HO)-induced oxidative stress and cytotoxicity in human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. PE, PA, and EA reduced the production of HO-induced ROS in HaCaT cells by 1.

Serum miR-125a-5p and CCL17 Upregulated in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria and Correlated with Treatment Response.

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a common skin disorder associated with autoimmunity. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous noncoding RNA molecules reported to be potential biomarkers for some autoimmune diseases. In this study, we investigated the association of miRNAs with CSU.

Psoriasis with a dirt-adherent: A rare case report.

Cutaneous dirt-adherent disease (CDAD) is a rare psychogenic dermatosis mainly occurring in young Japanese and Chinese women. It mainly occurs on cheeks, forehead, nipple, mammary areola and around mammary areola. To our knowledge, this is the first case of CDAD with the skin lesion of psoriasis rupioides to be reported.

Inhibition of Heme Oxygenase-1 enhances hyperthermia-induced autophagy and antiviral effect.

Hyperthermia has been clinically utilized as an adjuvant therapy in the treatment of cervical carcinoma. However, thermotolerance induced by heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a stress-inducible cytoprotective protein, limits the efficacy of hyperthermic therapy, for which the exact mechanism remains unknown. In the present study, we found that heat treatment induced HO-1 expression and decreased copy number of HPV16 in cervical cancer cells and tissues from cervical cancer and precursor lesions.

Microneedle fractional radiofrequency treatment of facial photoageing as assessed in a split-face model.

Background: A new therapeutic device passes radiofrequency energy through microneedles to targeted tissue. Three-dimensional photography may be useful for evaluating the clinical efficacy of microneedle fractional radiofrequency (MFR) used on the appearance of rhytids and to improve facial laxity.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of MFR in the treatment of facial photoageing.

Whole exome sequencing identified two point mutations of COL7A1 and FLG in a Chinese family with dystrophic epidermolysis bullous pruriginosa and ichthyosis vulgaris.

We report a 21-year-old man with recurrent bullous eruptions and severe itching on the lower legs and feet since 5 years of age. Dry, dirty brown, tile-like scales covered his lower legs with dystrophic toenails. Nodular prurigo-like lesions, scarring papules and milia remitted after the bullous eruptions.

MiR-155, a potential serum marker of extramammary Paget's disease.

Background: Extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD), a rare skin malignancy with non-specific manifestations, is often misdiagnosed as eczema of scrotum or tinea cruris. Although the diagnosis of EMPD could be confirmed by biopsy, it can be delayed as patients are reluctant to receive invasive operations. Herein, we investigated the serum miRNA expressions of EMPD patients and compared to that of the eczema of scrotum or tinea cruris patients as well as health volunteers for potential diagnostic markers for EMPD.

Embryonic-like regenerative phenomenon: wound-induced hair follicle neogenesis.

Wound-induced hair follicle neogenesis (WIHN) is a regenerative phenomenon that occurs widely in the skin of adult mammalians. A fully functional follicle can regenerate in the center of a full-thickness wound with a large enough size. The cellular origin of this process is similar to embryonic process.

Application of a new fractional radiofrequency device in the treatment of photoaging skin in Chinese patients.

: Fractional radiofrequency (FRF) has been used in the treatment of photoaged skin for a long time. This study was intended to examine the efficacy and safety of electrode pin FRF in the treatment of photoaged skin in Chinese patients. : Twenty healthy Chinese subjects with facial photoaged skin were enrolled in this study.

Functional cardiac Na channels are expressed in human melanoma cells.

Resting membrane potential (RMP) and intracellular Ca concentration [(Ca)] are involved in tumorigenesis and metastasis. The present study investigated whether functional cardiac Na channels are expressed in human melanoma cells (WM 266-4) and its nonmalignant human melanocytes (HMC), as well as whether they participate in RMP maintenance and Ca homeostasis. Confocal microscopy and western blot analysis were used to detect Na channels.

A pilot split-scalp study of combined fractional radiofrequency microneedling and 5% topical minoxidil in treating male pattern hair loss.

Background: Various trials have been conducted on the management of male pattern hair loss (MPHL), but the outcomes often seem to be limited. Adjuvant therapies are urgently needed.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of combined fractional radiofrequency microneedling (FRM) and 5% topical minoxidil in the treatment of male pattern hair loss.

DNAJA4 deficiency enhances NF-kappa B-related growth arrest induced by hyperthermia in human keratinocytes.

Background: Hyperthermia is an effective treatment against cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Previous studies have shown that heat shock proteins are crucial to the action of hyperthermia.

Objectives: To examine the effects of hyperthermia in combination with DNAJA4-deficiency on human keratinocytes and Condyloma acumunatum (CA) tissues.

Stimulation of mouse vibrissal follicle growth by recombinant human fibroblast growth factor 20.

Objectives: To explore potential effects of recombinant human fibroblast growth factor 20 (rhFGF20) in the growth of cultured mouse vibrissal follicles.

Results: The growth of cultured mouse vibrissal follicles was significantly induced by rhFGF20 in a dose dependent pattern in the in vitro vibrissal follicle organ culture model. However, too high concentration of rhFGF20 could inhibit the growth of vibrissal follicles.

pH-responsive polymeric micelles self-assembled from amphiphilic copolymer modified with lipid used as doxorubicin delivery carriers.

In the present study, a novel pH-responsive amphiphilic copolymer, 1,2-distearoyl--glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine--[methoxy(polyethylene glycol)] conjugated poly(β-amino esters) (DSPE--PEG--PAE--PEG--DSPE), was designed and successfully synthesized via Michael-type step polymerization. The chemical structure of the pentablock copolymer was confirmed with proton nuclear magnetic resonance (H-NMR) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The copolymer was able to self-assemble into core/shell polymeric micelles in aqueous solution at low concentrations, and its critical micelle concentration (CMC) value was 4.