Enhancing diagnostic accuracy in common human poxvirus infections during mpox outbreak: A dermoscopy review.

Poxviruses belong to the Poxviridae family, a group of pathogens known for their high infectivity in humans, posing significant health threats. One of the most well-known representatives of poxvirus infections is smallpox, which has been successfully eradicated. However, in recent years, there has been a resurgence in cases of mpox, another member of the Poxviridae family, raising concerns about the potential for a global pandemic or a worldwide health crisis. While the typical clinical presentation of mpox and other poxvirus infections often involves cutaneous lesions, there have been reports of various atypical and non-classic clinical manifestations. Dermoscopy has emerged as a crucial diagnostic tool, aiding dermatologists in clinical practice to make informed decisions. In this summary, we provide an overview of the clinical and dermoscopic features of representative cutaneous lesions associated with human poxvirus infections, including mpox, orf, milker's nodule, and molluscum contagiosum.

Clinical practice Guidelines for 5-Aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy for acne vulgaris in China.

A variety of evidence suggest that 5-Aminolevulinic acid-based photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) is clinically effective in management of acne vulgaris. Several clinical guidelines for acne recommend PDT as an alternative treatment modality for severe acne. However, there is a lack of detailed clinical guideline for PDT in acne treatment. To propose up-to-date, evidence-based and practical recommendations on application of ALA-PDT for acne vulgaris, dermatologists and PDT experts from the Photodynamic Therapy Research Center of the CMA and Photodynamic Therapy Rehabilitation Training Center of CARD achieved consensus and guidelines based on careful evaluation of published literature, expert opinions and experience. ALA-PDT plays a therapeutic role in all four major pathogenesis of acne, and is suitable for moderate to severe acne and scar-prone acne, especially for patients who cannot tolerate or refused systemic antibiotics and isotretinoin. The efficacy and adverse reactions of ALA-PDT are closely related to therapeutic parameters including ALA concentration, incubation time, light source and dosage. Proper pretreatment helps to improve transdermal absorption of ALA and enhances its efficacy. We reviewed and proposed recommended protocols for four PDT procedures including conventional PDT (C-PDT), modified painless PDT (M-PDT), intense pulsed light PDT (IPL-PDT) and daylight PDT (DL-PDT). M-PDT with lower ALA concentration (3-5%), shorter incubation time (30 mins), and lower dose but prolonged illumination (630nm, 40-60 mW/cm2, 150 J/cm2) can improve lesions of moderate to severe acne vulgaris effectively with minimal pain and easier manipulation, and thus was recommended by Chinese dermatologists. Lastly, management of adverse reactions were addressed.

Eczema Herpeticum Following Skin Microneedling Plus Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy in a Patient with Atrophic Acne Scars.

With the rapid development of minimally invasive cosmetic procedures, the group receiving minimally invasive cosmetic procedures is gradually on the rise. The adverse reactions or complications of minimally invasive cosmetic procedures also show an upward trend, but clinicians especially the cosmetic dermatologist should be identified and pay attention to the prevention and treatment in such reactions associated with minimally invasive cosmetic procedures in clinical practice. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), which as a novel treatment option for acne scars, has shown good cosmetic results. Here, we report a case with eczema herpeticum following skin microneedling plus PRP therapy in a patient with atrophic acne scars.

Persistent Facial Flushing in a Patient with Telangiectasia Macularis Eruptiva Perstans: An Unusual but Should Emphasized Clinical Finding.

Facial flushing is one of the common conditions in dermatology, which affects the aesthetic of patients to a great extent, and even leads to psychological and economic burdens. The most common causes of facial flushing are often inflammatory skin diseases such as rosacea, contact dermatitis, and others, but the facial flushing as a sign can also be the cutaneous manifestation of systemic disease. Telangiectasia macularis eruptiva perstans (TMEP) is a rare disease associated with mast cells. Here, we describe an unusual clinical finding with persistent facial flushing in a patient with TMEP.

Serum Level of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Associated with Depression in Patients with Rosacea: A Candidate Predictive Biomarker.

Background: The biomarker to predict the depression in patients with rosacea was absent. Objective: We aimed to explore the potential association between BDNF and depression in patients with rosacea, and also to determine whether serum BDNF level is a potential biomarker for identifying depression in patients with rosacea. Methods: The patients with rosacea, rosacea with depression and healthy control were included, clinical evaluation (DLQI, RSSs, BDI-II) and serum BDNF levels detection were performed on subjects, the comparisons and correlation analysis of the obtained data were performed. Results: In clinical evaluation, whether DLQI or RSSs, rosacea with depression group was significantly higher compared to rosacea group. Besides, we found the serum BDNF levels were lower in patients with rosacea and rosacea with depression compared to healthy controls, also in the rosacea with depression group, serum BDNF levels were lower than in rosacea patients. Whatever in rosacea or rosacea with depression group, the statistical significance of serum BDNF levels between the different subtypes like the ETR and PPR was not found. In further correlation analysis, we found no correlation between serum BDNF and RSSs in patients with rosacea whatever the subtype of ETR or PPR. Interestingly, we found a negative correlation between serum BDNF levels and BDI-II in rosacea with depression group, the decreased serum BDNF levels were associated with the increased BDI-II, also the ROC confirmed it can evaluate the depression in patients with rosacea. Conclusion: Serum BDNF level is a potential biomarker for identifying depression in patients with rosacea.

Epidemiology of urticaria in China: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Urticaria is a common skin disease characterized by episodes of wheals, and it has a negative effect on patients' quality of life. Large-scale population-based epidemiological studies of urticaria are scarce in China. The aim of this survey was to determine the prevalence, clinical forms, and risk factors of urticaria in the Chinese population. METHODS: This survey was conducted in 35 cities from 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities of China. Two to three communities in each city were selected in this investigation. Participants completed questionnaires and received dermatological examinations. We analyzed the prevalence, clinical forms, and risk factors of urticaria. RESULTS: In total, 44,875 questionnaires were distributed and 41,041 valid questionnaires were collected (17,563 male and 23,478 female participants). The lifetime prevalence of urticaria was 7.30%, with 8.26% in female and 6.34% in male individuals ( P  < 0.05). The point prevalence of urticaria was 0.75%, with 0.79% in female and 0.71% in male individuals ( P  < 0.05). Concomitant angioedema was found in 6.16% of patients. Adults had a higher prevalence of urticaria than adolescents and children. Living in urban areas, exposure to pollutants, an anxious or depressed psychological status, a personal and family history of allergy, thyroid diseases, and Helicobacter pylori infection were associated with a higher prevalence of urticaria. Smoking was correlated with a reduced risk of urticaria. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that the lifetime prevalence of urticaria was 7.30% and the point prevalence was 0.75% in the Chinese population; women had a higher prevalence of urticaria than men. Various factors were correlated with urticaria.

Consensus on Pre-examination and Triage in Clinic of Dermatology During Outbreak of COVID-19 From Chinese Experts.

The 2019 novel coronavirus infection has brought a great challenge in prevention and control of the national epidemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China. During the fight against the epidemic of COVID-19, properly carrying out pre-examination and triage for patients with skin lesions and fever has been a practical problem encountered in hospitals for skin diseases as well as clinics of dermatology in general hospitals. Considering that certain skin diseases may have symptom of fever, and some of the carriers of 2019 novel coronavirus and patients with COVID-19 at their early stage may do not present any symptoms of COVID-19, to properly deal with the visitors to clinics of dermatology, the Chinese Society of Dermatology organized experts to formulate the principles and procedures for pre-examination and triage of visitors to clinics of dermatology during the epidemic of COVID-19.

Abnormalities in endothelial form of nitric oxide synthase is pathogenic in limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis is one subtype of systemic sclerosis which is characterized by a prototypic multisystem fibrotic disorder. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to further investigate the pathological mechanism of limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (lcSSc). METHODS: The dataset GSE76807 generated from 10 lcSSc patients and five healthy controls was used. After the preprocessing of the original data, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified and then performed functional analysis, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and module analysis. Additionally, the transcription factors (TFs) and miRNAs which potentially regulating DEGs were identified and the co-regulatory network was constructed. Finally, DEGs targeted by current drugs were identified. Real-time quantitative PCR analyses of some DEGs in mice with lcSSc were performed. RESULTS: Total 203 up-regulated and 189 down-regulated DEGs were obtained. The up-regulated genes were enriched in protein interactions at the synapses neuronal system, NCAM1 interactions, and CREB phosphorylation through the activation of CaMKII, while, cilium assembly, and endothelial form of nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activation were enriched by down-regulated genes. SCRT2 and RABEP1 regulated by miR-218 were hub nodes in the network. DRD4 and GRIN2D were the main drug targets. RABEP1 and SSB were found lowly expressed in mice model with lcSSc. CONCLUSION: Endothelial form of NOS activation would be suppressed, and the process of neuronal migration and outgrowth would be activated to participant in the pathological mechanism of lcSSc.