Objective To evaluate the pathogenicity of Exophiala dermatitidis melanin in Galleria mellonella infection model. Methods Melanin of albino strain of Exophiala dermatitidis was restored by co-culture with E. dermatitidis (mel3). The G. mellonella were infected with albino, melanized strtain, and melanin restored albino strain. Survival rate, macromorphological and histopathological changes of larvae were observed under the optimal infection concentration. Results The melanin production was restored in albino strain of Exophiala dermatitidis, and conidia at a concentration of 1×10⁷/mL was the optimal infection concentration. At the end of observation, the albino strain displayed lower survival rate compared to both the melanized stain (χ²=6.11,P=0.013) and melanin restored albino strain (χ²=6.37,P=0.010). However, the survival rates did not differ significantly between melanized and melanin restored albino strain (χ²=0.01,P=0.940). Histopathological examination revealed that the melanized strain and melanin restored albino strain attracted aggregation of more Galleria mellonella hemocytes, forming larger infectious nodules in comparison to albino strains. Conclusions In the infection model of Galleria mellonella, the albino strain shows stronger pathogenicity than the melanized strain. Restoration of melanin of albino strain can reverse the pathogenicity.

Objective To explore the application of ALA photodynamic fluorescence combined with dermatoscopy in the diagnosis of facial cancerization and precancerous lesions. Methods From March 2022 to March 2024, a total of 52 patients with actinic keratosis, BOWEN's disease, squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma were enrolled at the dermatology clinic of the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Science and Technology. Each patient was examined by naked eye and ALA photodynamic fluorescence, and the difference in area was compared between these two methods. The ALA photodynamic fluorescence area was divided into 8 equal sections, followed by examination with a dermatoscope to determine whether there were cancerization and precancerous lesions. The lesion area and severity were scored. Results The ALA photodynamic fluorescence area was larger than that observed by the naked eye (all P<0.001). Dermatoscopic examination of the ALA photodynamic fluorescence imaging area revealed precancerous features of various areas and severity, with cancerous area and severity scores of 4.55±1.21, 5.45±2.42, 6.64±2.84, and 5.27±1.95, respectively. Conclusions ALA-photodynamic fluorescence combined with dermatoscopy can find cancerization and precancerous lesions that can't be detected by naked eyes, providing a new method for early screening and early diagnosis of skin cancerization and precancerous lesions.

Objective To compare the effects of 20% sulfuric acid and acidic alcohol for the staining of leprosy bacilli in order to choose a better acid fast staining reagent for leprosy patients. Methods Sixty-one sections of the skin from leprosy patients were differentiated with either 20% sulfuric acid or acidic alcohol for 0.5, 1 and 1.5 minutes, respectively. The changes in bacterial colony count and red heterochromatic particles around the sweat glands were compared on the sections of the same block between these two methods. Results More bacterial colonies were observed using 20% sulfuric acid than acidic alcohol for all times (P=0.038, 0.012, 0.017, respectively). Differentiation with 20% sulfuric acid made it easier to observe heterochromatic particles in the sweat glands (P<0.001). Conclusion In the staining of leprosy bacillus, 20% sulfuric acid is better than acid alcohol to visualize bacterial colonies.

Objective To investigate the characteristics of epidermal cysts in hairless extremities. Methods The clinical data of 3 cases of epidermal cysts were collected, and their clinical and pathological characteristics were analyzed. Results Disease duration ranged from 4 months to 1 year. Patient 1 had a lesion on the palmar side of the second finger of the right hand after a trauma. Patients 2 and 3 had lesion on the sole and lateral side of the foot, respectively, with no history of trauma. Histopathological examination showed that the cyst walls were composed of multiple lamellar squamous epithelium and granular layers, and the cyst cavity was filled with keratin, consistent with the histopathological changes of typical epidermal cysts. Following surgical removal of the cysts, no recurrence was observed during six-month follow-up. Conclusions The epidermal cysts in hairless parts of the extremities have a short onset time, without opening surface, eruption or secretion. The pathological changes are the same as those in hairy parts of the epidermal cysts. The preferred treatment is complete surgical resection.

Objective Using bioinformatics methods to explore the core targets and important pathways in and potential therapeutic herbs for psoriasis-associated obesity. Methods OMIM, GeneCards, DisGeNET, and TTD databases were used to identify the common targets of the two diseases, and the core common targets were identified by Cytoscape. The core targets were analyzed by GO and KEGG to elucidate the related biological processes. Finally, the Coremine Medical database was used to predict the related Chinese medicines that regulate the core targets. Results A total of 13 core targets (IL-6, STAT3, TNF, IL-1B, IL-10, IFNG, CCL2, ICAM1, TLR4, TP53, CRP, PPARG, TYK2) were identified as intersecting core targets in obesity associated with psoriasis. Enrichment analysis showed that the main biological processes of these targets were involved the STAT receptor signaling pathway and IL-8 synthesis and regulation, etc. KEGG analysis showed that these genes were mainly involved in inflammatory bowel disease and pathways linked to lipid and atherosclerosis. The prediction results showed that multiple traditional Chinese medicines such as turmeric, ginseng, salvia miltiorrhiza, magnolia, lingzhi, and coptis had potential therapeutic effects. The main effects of these drugs were regulation of the spleen, stomach, lung and other meridians, resulting in activation of blood circulation and removal of blood stasis, tonifying qi, and dispelling dampness. Conclusions Psoriasis and obesity share 13 common core target genes, which are associated with persistent inflammation and vascular changes. The predicted traditional Chinese medicine provides a basis for its utility in the treatment of psoriasis with obesity.

Objective Using meta-analysis to analyze the clinical efficacy of fire needling acupuncture combined with Chinese medicine compounds for acne. Methods Relevant literatures were searched from the following databases dated from inception to December 12, 2023: CNKI, Quanfang, Wanfang, VIP, Pubmed and CochraneLibrary. Only the publications that included randomized controlled studies on fire needling acupuncture combined with traditional Chinese medicine were included in the analysis. The quality of the studies was evaluated by two researchers according to the criteria of the Cochrane Manual of Systematic Reviewers, and the data were analyzed using Revman 5.4 software. Results A total of 20 qualified reports, including 1 889 cases (945 cases in the treated group and 944 cases in the controls), were included in the final analysis. The cure and effective rates were higher in the treatment group than in the controls[OR=4.62,95%CI: 3.28-6.51, P<0.001]. Conclusions Fire needle therapy combined with Chinese medicine compounds can improve the therapeutic efficacy for acne, with superior efficacy to the Traditional Chinese medicine alone.

Objective To study the efficacy and safety of secukinumab in the treatment of moderate and severe plaque psoriasis in children. Methods A total of 10 children with psoriasis were enrolled at Yongcheng Central Hospital from November 2021 to November 2022. All patients were treated with subcutaneous injection of secukinumab and followed up for 52 weeks. The psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) and childrens' dermatology life quality index(CDLQI) were evaluated, and adverse reactions were observed. Results After 4 weeks of the treatment, 8 patients achieved PASI 75, among which 7 patients achieved PASI 90 and PASI 100 was observed in 5 patients. After 8 weeks of the treatment, all 10 patients reached PASI 75, including 8 patients with PASI 100. After 12 weeks, all 10 patients achieved PASI 100. By 52 weeks, 9 patients reached PASI 75, including 8 patients with PASI 90 and 7 patients with PASI 100. After 4 weeks of the treatment, CDLQI scores were significantly decreased and declined to 0 by 52 weeks. No adverse reactions were observed in all patients. Conclusions Secukinumab can rapidly improve moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in children and exhibits long-lasting benefit. It is safe and can quickly improve the quality of life of the children.

To report a case of popular acantholytic dyskeratosis of the right scrotum. A 58-year-old man complained of pruritic papules on the right scrotum for over 5 years. Dermatologic examination revealed unevenly distributed, millet to green bean sized papules with erosion and maceration, on the right groin. Histopathological changes included hyperkeratosis, parakeratosis, irregular epidermal hyperplasia, acantholysis, intraepidermal vesicles, with a large number of dyskeratotic cells in addition to infiltration of lymphocytes and plasma cells in the dermis. Patient was diagnosed with papular acantholytic dyskeratosis and treated with fractional CO₂ laser, and the rashes repeatedly relapsed when followed up 2 years later.

We report a case of primary cutaneous marginal zone B-cell lymphoma. A 23-year-old male presented with red nodules on his back for 5 years. Physical examination revealed multiple demarcated red nodules on the back, sized 5 mm×5 mm to 10 mm×15 mm, with smooth surface, soft texture, but without scales and tenderness. Histopathology showed nodular lymphoid hyperplasia in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue, partial follicular atrophy, and small- to medium-sized centrocytoid and monocytoid cells surrounding the follicles and eccrine glands, which locally infiltrated into the subcutaneous adipose tissue. Immunohistochemistry revealed positive for CD20, CD21(FDC network), CD23(FDC network), kappa, Bcl-2, CD43 (partially), Ki-67 (10%), and negative for CD3, CD4, CD5, CD8, Lambda, Bcl-6 and Cyclin-D1. The diagnosis was primary cutaneous marginal zone B-cell lymphoma. The patient declined the treatment and was lost follow-up 1 year later.

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin disease, characterized by transient flushing, persistent erythema, papules, pustules and telangiectasia. The pathogenesis of rosacea is complex. Although traditional therapies have been shown to improve the symptoms, the therapeutic effect is not satisfactory. In recent years, scholars at home and abroad have proposed new therapeutic approaches to treat rosacea and advancement has been achieved in the fields of topical injection therapy, systemic therapy and physical therapy. Injections of botulinum toxin (BTX) can improve the facial erythema and flushing as well as patients’ quality of life. Medications such as Tranexamic Acid (TXA) and metformin originally prescribed for other disorders have shown potential therapeutic effects on rosacea. Additionally, the treatment of either neurological or psychiatric disorders or digestive diseases that are comorbid with rosacea may also alleviate rosacea. This article reviews the recent advances in the treatment of rosacea, aiming to provide new insights for the clinical treatment.

Mycosis fungoides is a non-Hodgkin lymphoma originating from skin-resident memory helper T cells, representing the most common subtype of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Large cell transformation is a unique form of primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma with unclear etiology and pathogenesis. Clinical manifestations and auxiliary examinations lack specificity. Whether patients need aggressive treatment is controversial. This article systematically reviews the etiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of mycosis fungoides with large cell transformation, offering insights for its diagnosis and management.

Nagashima-type palmoplantar keratosis (NPPK) is a relatively common autosomal recessive dermatosis characterized by well-defined diffuse erythema and non-destructive hyperkeratosis on the palmoplantar areas, with swelling and whitening when exposed to water. The pathogenesis of NPPK can be attributable to altered structure and function of SERPINB7, environmental factors, barrier dysfunction and inflammatory response. There is no specific and standardized therapy for this disorder. Topical treatment is primary therapy although systemic drugs or surgery can be used for severe cases. Gentamicin, a targeted therapy for the disease, has shown some potential, but more clinical studies are still needed to verify its efficacy and safety. The aim of this review is to summarize the causative gene, pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies of NPPK.