Advances in the Application of Noninvasive Skin Imaging Techniques in Acne Scars.

Acne scarring is a common sequela of acne vulgaris, which seriously affects facial esthetics. The treatment options for acne scars vary depending on the development stage, color, type, and location of scarring. The objective and precise assessment of acne scars is a prerequisite for treatment, and it is also an important means of monitoring the treatment effect. The traditional methods to evaluate the types and severity grade of acne scars are primarily based on subjective assessment by physicians, which lacks objectivity and accuracy. Novel noninvasive skin imaging techniques, such as skin surface imaging analysis systems, dermoscopy, reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM), high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and multiphoton tomography (MPT), provide new tools for the rapid and objective assessment of acne scars. This article reviews the progress of skin imaging techniques in the diagnosis, classification, and efficacy evaluation of acne scars.

Investigating Propionibacterium acnes antibiotic susceptibility and response to bacteriophage in vitro and in vivo.

Introduction: A total of 94 Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) isolates were obtained from a hospital in Beijing to evaluate their susceptibility to erythromycin, clarithromycin, doxycycline, and minocycline. As well as the determination of the effectiveness of P. acnes phages in vitro and in P. acnes-induced lesions mouse model. Methods: Patients with acne vulgaris (AV) were enrolled from August 2021 to October 2022. Standard methods were employed for specimen collection, culture, and identification of P. acnes. Susceptibility testing was conducted using E-strips for erythromycin, clarithromycin, minocycline, and doxycycline. Phage culture and identification followed standard procedures. A mouse model with P. acnes-induced skin lesions was established, and data was analyzed using χ 2 test. Results: The results showed that all isolates were susceptible to minocycline and doxycycline, while 53 (56.4%) and 52 (55.3%) isolates were susceptible to erythromycin and clarithromycin, respectively. Interestingly, younger patients and those with lower acne severity exhibited reduced resistance. Phage cleavage rates ranged from 88.30 to 93.60%. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) analysis was conducted on eight randomly selected P. acnes isolates, and the IA-2 subtype was used in experiments to address P. acnes-induced lesions in mice. Phage therapy proved effective in this model. Discussion: This study highlights the high susceptibility of P. acnes to doxycycline and tetracycline, while erythromycin and clarithromycin exhibited elevated resistance. Additionally, P. acnes phages demonstrated high cleavage rates and potential effectiveness in treating P. acnes-induced lesions. These findings suggest promising avenues for further exploration of phage therapy in acne treatment.

Efficacy and safety of 1565-nm nonablative fractional laser combined with mucopolysaccharide polysulfate cream for erythematous acne scars.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of 1565-nm nonablative fractional laser (NAFL) combined with mucopolysaccharide polysulfate (MPS) cream in the treatment of erythematous acne scars. METHODS: A total of 28 subjects with erythematous acne scars from June 2021 to April 2022 were enrolled. One side of each subject's face was randomly assigned to be treated with 1565-nm NAFL (at 2 sessions with four-week intervals) combined with MPS cream (twice daily) for 8 weeks, and the other side with 1565-nm NAFL combined with placebo cream. CBS® images and parameters, dermoscopic images and the quantitative data processed by ImageJ software, and quantitative global scarring grading system (GSS) score were obtained at baseline and after treatment. Subjects' satisfaction assessment was performed after treatment. Adverse events were recorded during treatment. RESULTS: In CBS® parameters, the red area, red area concentration, and smoothness were improved more significantly on the 1565-nm NAFL combined with MPS cream side than on the 1565-nm NAFL combined with placebo cream side after treatment (p = 0.015, p = 0.013, and p = 0.021). For dermoscopy, both scar area and scar redness achieved a significantly greater percentage of improvement on the side of 1565-nm NAFL combined with MPS cream than the side of 1565-nm NAFL combined with placebo cream after treatment (p = 0.005 and p = 0.041). The reduction of quantitative GSS score and Subjects' satisfaction assessment were similarly superior on the 1565-nm NAFL combined with MPS cream side. Temporary erythema was experienced by all subjects after each 1565-nm NAFL treatment. No subject reported intolerance or allergy to the cream during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The combined application of 1565-nm NAFL and MPS cream could be an effective and safe treatment for erythematous acne scars. ImageJ software enables quantitative evaluation of dermoscopic images of acne scars.

Sebaceoma on the nose mimicking basal cell carcinoma: Pitfalls of dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy.

Sebaceoma is a rare benign sebaceous tumor that usually occurs on the face and scalp. We report a case of a 3-mm solitary pink papule on the nose in an elderly woman. Dermoscopic examination showed yellow-pinkish background with a central yellow homogeneous structure, peripheral branching vessels (crown vessels), and scattered gray or reddish-brown irregular areas. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) revealed tumor islands with massive dendritic cells and scattered bright fine granules in the dermis, a suspicious palisading arrangement at the periphery, and there seemed to be peritumoral dark spaces. The combined dermoscopic and RCM examination were highly suspicious for the diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), so the lesion was excised completely, but was eventually diagnosed as sebaceoma by histopathology. This case suggests that there are some overlaps in both dermoscopic and RCM features between sebaceoma and BCC. The application of dermoscopy and RCM to the diagnosis of sebaceoma is challenging, further studies are needed in this field.

Spatial and temporal distribution of rural settlements and influencing mechanisms in Inner Mongolia, China.

Revealing the patterns and influencing mechanisms of spatial and temporal distribution of rural settlements is crucial for rural revitalization and sustainable development. However, our limited understanding of the rural settlements in China's ethnic minority border areas has hindered the process of their agricultural and rural modernization. Based on data on rural settlements in Inner Mongolia, China in four periods between 1990 and 2020, this study reveals its spatial and temporal distribution characteristics and describes the dynamic transformation process of settlement. Using a geographical detector approach, 17 factors are explored to identify the influencing mechanisms of each factor on the distribution of rural settlements in different regions. The results show obvious regional differences in the spatial distribution of rural settlements in Inner Mongolia, with the largest kernel density values in the west (Hetao irrigation area) and higher kernel densities in the central (Hohhot) and the east (Chifeng and Tongliao). While rural population decreases, rural settlements expand into cultivated land, grassland, and unused land resources. Its spatial distribution is significantly influenced by the factors of distance to cultivated land, distance to towns, and population density. The east of the study area is mainly controlled by temperature, while vegetation type and vegetation coverage have a greater impact in the west. The interactions between two influencing factors possess bilinear or nonlinear enhancement relationships. This study enriches the understanding of the rural settlements in ethnic minority border areas, which provide reference for the improvement of rural human settlement environment in Inner Mongolia.

Spatial distributions of salt-based ions, a case study from the Hunshandake Sandy Land, China.

Soil water soluble base ion salt-based ion concentrations are critical parameters for estimating soil buffer capacity and vegetation productivity. Ionic content clearly covaries with the distribution of plant communities. Previous studies on salt-based ions in soils focused primarily on ion migration and its relationships with vegetation growth. Few studies have sought to characterize larger scale spatial distribution of salt-based ions or correlation with climatic and plant community characteristics. This study used ion chromatography to analyze the salt-based ion content (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ and K+) of surface soils from the Hunshandake sandy lands. Statistical methods were used interpret spatial variation. Results showed that the average content of salt-based ions in Hunshandake sandy land was 86.57 mg/kg. Average values ranked as Ca2+ > Na+ > K+ > Mg2+ but concentrations also exhibited uneven spatial distributions. Horizontal spatial variation in Ca2+, Mg2+ and Na+ ions showed these ions gradually decrease from northwest to southeast. Potassium ions (K+) showed no obvious spatial variation trends. Ions varied significantly across different soil layers but their average concentrations ranked as K+>Na+>Ca2+>Mg2+ (from shallow to deep). The 20-30 cm soil layer contained the highest salt ion concentrations. Of the four base ions, only K+ ions appeared in surface samples. In terms of water soluble base ion available salt-based ions, Ca2+ occurred in the highest concentrations along the north and west side of the study area. K+ ions occurred in the highest concentrations along the south and east sides of the study area. Na+ concentrations did not show a consistent spatial pattern. Statistical analysis detected significant correlations of normalized ion concentration parameters (Ca2+/CECT, K+/CEC, effective water soluble base ion salt-based ions) and the total species number, average species number and total biomass of the plant communities (P <0.05). This study can help inform understanding of soil water transport in sandy areas and provide a reference for interpreting ecosystems in arid regions.

Summarization and comparison of dermoscopic features on different subtypes of rosacea.

BACKGROUND: The dermoscopic features of rosacea have already been reported. However, the current findings are incomplete, and little is known about phymatous rosacea. Hence, this study aimed to summarize and compare the dermoscopic features and patterns of three rosacea subtypes (erythematotelangiectatic [ETR], papulopustular [PPR], and phymatous [PHR]) in the Chinese Han population and to evaluate whether these features differ with patients' genders, ages, and durations. METHODS: Dermoscopic images of 87 rosacea patients were collected in non-polarized and polarized dermoscopy contact modes at 20-fold magnification. Dermoscopic features, including vessels, scales, follicular findings, and other structures, were summarized and evaluated. RESULTS: The reticular linear vessels and red diffuse structureless areas of ETR were distinctive. For PPR, red diffuse structureless areas, reticular linear vessels, yellow scales, follicular plugs, and follicular pustules were typical dermoscopic criteria. The common dermoscopic features of PHR were: orange diffuse structureless areas, linear vessels with branches, perifollicular white color, orange focal structureless areas, and white lines. The following features statistically differed among the three rosacea subtypes: reticular linear vessels ( P  < 0.001), unspecific linear vessels ( P  = 0.005), linear vessels with branches ( P  < 0.001), yellow scales ( P  = 0.001), follicular plugs ( P  < 0.001), perifollicular white color ( P  < 0.001), red diffuse structureless areas ( P  = 0.022), orange diffuse structureless areas ( P  < 0.001), red focal structureless areas ( P  = 0.002), orange focal structureless areas ( P  = 0.003), white lines ( P  < 0.001), follicular pustules ( P  < 0.001), and black vellus hairs ( P  < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The dermoscopic patterns of ETR are red diffuse structureless areas and reticular linear vessels. For PPR, the pattern comprehends combinations of red diffuse structureless areas, reticular linear vessels, yellow scales, follicular plugs, and follicular pustules. Meanwhile, PHR is characterized by remarkable orange diffuse structureless areas, linear vessels with branches, perifollicular white color, orange focal structureless areas, and white lines.

Inter-rater variability and consistency within four acne grading systems recommended in China, USA, and Europe.

PURPOSE: To investigate the correlation among different investigators (intrarater variation) in the assessment of acne vulgaris severity using Acne Grading System (AGS), International Improvement Grading System (IIGS), Investigator Global Assessment of acne (IGA), and Global Evaluation Acne (GEA), and to compare AGS and IIGS with the IGA recommended in the United States, and GEA in Europe. METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with acne vulgaris, attending the dermatology outpatient clinics at five hospitals in China. Four investigators were engaged using AGS, IIGS, IGA, and GEA to assess severity of acne vulgaris. Correlation among AGS, IIGS, GEA, and IGA were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 1107 participants suffering from acne vulgaris were enrolled. There was evidence of adequate internal consistency among AGS, IIGS, IGA, and GEA. For the intrarater reliability, AGS, IIGS, GEA, and IGA demonstrated excellent reliability. Moreover, AGS, IIGS, IGA, and GEA were significantly correlated with each other (p ≤ 0.01). CONCLUSION: IIGS and AGS were reliable, and correlated well with IGA and GEA.

Comparison of Outcomes Following General Anesthesia and Spinal Anesthesia During Emergency Cervical Cerclage in Singleton Pregnant Women in the Second Trimester at a Single Center.

BACKGROUND Little information exists regarding the best anesthesia method for emergency cerclage. This single-center study aimed to compare the outcomes following general anesthesia and spinal anesthesia during emergency cervical cerclage in women in the second trimester of a singleton pregnancy. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 297 pregnant patients were recruited: 141 patients were assigned to the general anesthesia group and 156 patients were assigned to the spinal anesthesia group. Periprocedural data and obstetric outcomes were recorded and statistically analyzed. RESULTS Average duration of the cerclage procedure was shorter in the general anesthesia group than in the spinal anesthesia group (25.78±9.4 min versus 30.88±10.5 min; P<0.05). No severe maternal complications, such as hematosepsis or maternal death, occurred after the procedure for either group. The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and C-reactive protein (CRP) increased after emergency cerclage in both groups, but at no time did the 2 groups differ significantly (P>0.05). There was also no significant difference in the incidence of miscarriage or preterm delivery (delivery <34 gestational weeks) or in neonatal outcome between the 2 groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS The results of this study showed that there were no significant differences in maternal and neonatal outcomes, rates of miscarriage, or preterm delivery between general anesthesia and spinal anesthesia during emergency cervical cerclage in women in the second trimester of a singleton pregnancy.

Deficiency of two-pore segment channel 2 contributes to systemic lupus erythematosus via regulation of apoptosis and cell cycle.

BACKGROUND: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease, and the mechanism of SLE is yet to be fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to explore the role of two-pore segment channel 2 (TPCN2) in SLE pathogenesis. METHODS: Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of TPCN2 in SLE. We performed a loss-of-function assay by lentiviral construct in Jurkat and THP-1 cell. Knockdown of TPCN2 were confirmed at the RNA level by qRT-PCR and protein level by Western blotting. Cell Count Kit-8 and flow cytometry were used to analyze the cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle of TPCN2-deficient cells. In addition, gene expression profile of TPCN2-deficient cells was analyzed by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). RESULTS: TPCN2 knockdown with short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated lentiviruses inhibited cell proliferation, and induced apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest of G2/M phase in both Jurkat and THP-1 cells. We analyzed the transcriptome of knockdown-TPCN2-Jurkat cells, and screened the differential genes, which were enriched for the G2/M checkpoint, complement, and interleukin-6-Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription pathways, as well as changes in levels of forkhead box O, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mechanistic target of rapamycin, and T cell receptor pathways; moreover, TPCN2 significantly influenced cellular processes and biological regulation. CONCLUSION: TPCN2 might be a potential protective factor against SLE.

SNP detection and population structure evaluation of Salix gordejevii Y. L. Chang et Skv. in Hunshandake Sandland, Inner Mongolia, China.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are the most abundant and richest form of genomic polymorphism and, hence, are highly favorable markers for genetic map construction and genome-wide association studies. Based on the DNA specific-locus amplified fragment sequencing (SLAF-seq) for large-scale SNP detection, the genetic diversity and population structure of Salix gordejevii Y. L. Chang et Skv., a valuable sand-fixing shrub, was assessed in 199 accessions from 20 populations in Hunshandake Sandland of northern China. A total of 623.15 M reads resulted in 30.49 × sequencing depth on average and a mean Q30 of 95.70%, and 2,287,715 SNPs in 178,509 polymorphic SLAF tags were obtained. By discarding minor allele frequency > 0.05 and integrity > 0.8, a total of 93,600 SNPs were retained for population genetic analyses, which revealed that 199 individuals could be divided into six groups based on cross-validation errors. However, this grouping pattern did not match the geographical distribution, indicating that there is no apparent geographic barrier in the blank areas where S. gordejevii was not distributed in Hunshandake Sandland. In addition, the physical distance of linkage disequilibrium decay in the analyzed S. gordejevii individuals was 18.5 kb when r 2 = 0.1. The linkage disequilibrium decay distances for different chromosomes varied from 4.6 kb (chromosome 16) to 37.8 kb (chromosome 3). The obtained SNPs offer suitable marker resources for further genetic and genomic studies and will benefit S. gordejevii breeding programs.

Skin diseases in the Da Qing Diabetes Study: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of skin diseases and diabetes mellitus (DM) are prominent around the world. The current scope of knowledge regarding the prevalence of skin diseases and comorbidities with type 2 DM (T2DM) is limited, leading to limited recognition of the correlations between skin diseases and T2DM. METHODS: We collected 383 subjects from the Da Qing Diabetes Study during the period from July 9th to September 1st, 2016. The subjects were categorized into three groups: Normal glucose tolerance (NGT), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and T2DM. The prevalence and clinical characteristics of skin diseases were recorded and investigated. RESULTS: In this cross-sectional study, 383 individuals with ages ranging from 53 to 89-year-old were recruited. The overall prevalence of skin diseases was 93.5%, and 75.7% of individuals had two or more kinds of skin diseases. Additionally, there were 47 kinds of comorbid skin diseases in patients with T2DM, of which eight kinds of skin diseases had a prevalence >10%. The prevalence of skin diseases in NGT, IGT, and T2DM groups were 93.3%, 91.5%, and 96.6%, respectively; stratified analysis by categories showed a statistically significant difference in "disturbances of pigmentation" and "neurological and psychogenic dermatoses". The duration of T2DM also significantly associated with the prevalence of "disturbances of pigmentation" and "neurological and psychogenic dermatoses". Subsequently, the prevalence of "disturbances of pigmentation" was higher in males than females in NGT (P < 0.01) and T2DM (P < 0.01) groups. In addition, the difference in the prevalence of "disturbances of pigmentation" was also significant in NGT and T2DM groups (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: There was a high prevalence of skin diseases in the Da Qing Diabetes Study. To address the skin diseases in the Da Qing Diabetes Study, increased awareness and intervention measures should be implemented.