Nail psoriasis in China: A prospective multicentre study.

BACKGROUND: Data on nail psoriasis (PsO) in China are scarce. OBJECTIVES: To provide nail PsO-related data regarding epidemiologic characteristics, manifestations, fungal infections, arthritic complaints and treatments that may facilitate improved patient management globally. METHODS: From August 2021 to August 2022, patients with nail PsO were enrolled in a prospective multicentre observational study at 25 hospitals in China. We collected and analysed data concerning nail PsO demography, clinical signs, fungal detection, arthritic symptoms and treatment. RESULTS: A total of 817 patients with nail PsO were involved, with a mean body mass index of 24.13 ± 2.93. In addition, 71.41% of the patients were male. The Nail PsO Severity Index score was weakly positively correlated with body surface area. The percentage of nail involvement was 95.29% for fingernails and 57.18% for toenails, with pitting (67.11%) and subungual hyperkeratosis (60.40%) being the most prevalent manifestations, respectively. Toenails showed a significantly higher frequency of nailfold scales, subungual hyperkeratosis and nail plate crumbling and a lower frequency of splinter haemorrhages, pitting and erythema of the lunula. A total of 13.26% of the PsO patients had onychomycosis, and 77.08% were observed in the toenails. Articular symptoms were reported by 12.17% of the patients, with the peripheral type being predominant. Significant associations between articular symptoms and nailfold swelling, subungual hyperkeratosis, nailfold scales, onycholysis and longitudinal ridges were found. Only 2.30% (20 out of 871) of patients with nail PsO received treatment. The most frequently employed therapy for cutaneous PsO with nail involvement was biologic therapy (n = 366). CONCLUSIONS: PsO showed distinct manifestations in the toenails and fingernails. Additionally, toenail PsO combined with onychomycosis requires special attention. Articular symptoms in psoriatic patients are associated with specific nail changes. It is important to research and advocate for more potent treatments for nail PsO.

Clinical efficacy observation of calcipotriol combined with AYJ sodium alginate repair dressing in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris and its effect on patients' neurological function.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of calcipotriol combined with AYJ(An Yi Jia) sodium alginate repair dressing in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris (PV) and its effect on patients' neurological function. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 103 patients with PV admitted to our hospital from January 2022 to January 2024. All patients met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. According to the treatment interventions received by the patients, they were divided into control group (n = 51, receiving calcipotriol monotherapy) and observation group (n = 52, receiving calcipotriol combined with AYJ sodium alginate repair dressing). The clinical treatment effects, severity of the disease (PSSI score), levels of T lymphocyte subsets (CD4+, CD8+), serum nerve growth factor (NGF), inflammatory factors [interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)], and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: ① Clinical treatment effects: The total effective rate in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (p < 0.05). ② Severity of the disease: The PASI scores of both groups gradually decreased with prolonged treatment time, and the observation group showed a greater magnitude of change (p < 0.05). ③ T lymphocyte subset cells and serum nerve growth factor: The levels of CD4+ were increased after treatment in both groups, while CD8+ and NGF levels were decreased compared to before treatment, with a greater magnitude of change in the observation group (p < 0.05). ④ Inflammatory factors: The levels of IFN-γ, IL-8, and TNF-α were decreased after treatment in both groups, with a greater magnitude of change in the observation group (p < 0.05). ⑤ Adverse reactions: There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Calcipotriol combined with AYJ sodium alginate repair dressing has ideal therapeutic effects in the treatment of PV. Compared with calcipotriol alone, the combined application of AYJ sodium alginate repair dressing can further improve patient efficacy, improve immune and neurological function, alleviate patient inflammatory responses, and does not increase the risk of adverse reactions in patients.

Preventing crossinfection during reflectance confocal microscopy, using a transparent film dressing.

Contamination and crossinfection are always a significant concern when using reflectance confocal microscopy in the clinic because the glass window and metal ring at the front of the probe must contact the skin and mucosal surfaces, and sterilization of the imaging probes is usually impossible. We describe use of a transparent, single-use film dressing to solve this problem.

Nodular malignant melanoma in vulvar skin without pigmentation: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Polypoid nodule growing without apparent pigmentation on the vulvar skin usually reminds us of the diagnostic pitfall, which is commonly and mistakenly diagnosed as other types of tumors. Although there are several manifestations of amelanotic melanoma are known, these malignancies are usually pigmented because they are derived from melanocytes containing melanin. However, amelanotic melanomas are easily misdiagnosed or their diagnoses were commonly delayed due to lack of pigmentation. Therefore, a solitary polypoid nodule is worth noting and further reporting. Particularly, the clinical characteristics and outcomes of the solitary polypoid nodule are rare in Asian patients. CASE PRESENTATION: We presented an interesting case of a 33-year-old female with a solitary polypoid nodule without apparent pigmentation on her vulvar skin. Her medical history was unclear, no ulcer was seen in the lesion area, and dermatoscopy was indicated a possible tumorous change, which has caught the attention of clinicians, and then further examined by the pathologist. The final diagnosis was nodular malignant melanoma (NM) (Breslow thickness 9.5mm, Clark level 4). CONCLUSIONS: Hence, though reviewing this case record, the relevant literature and NM-related materials, we suggest that the combination of skin imaging technology and histopathological examination could provide us a better understanding and reduce the possibility of misdiagnosis in clinic practice.

Pyrodextrin enhances intestinal function through changing the intestinal microbiota composition and metabolism in early weaned piglets.

Pyrodextrin (PD) is prepared from starch by heat treatment and is resistant to amylase. We hypothesized that PD might have prebiotic potential affecting the microbiota composition, because it contains a non-digestible portion that may behave as dietary fiber. This study investigated the effects of PD supplementation on growth performance, gut morphology, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and the bacterial community in weaned piglets receiving dietary supplementation of 0.5% PD. The piglets in the PD (treated) groups showed greater antioxidant capacity and feed efficiency (P < 0.05), as well as improved intestinal morphology in comparison with the piglets in the weaned (control) group. Gut microbiota profiles were assessed through 16S rRNA sequencing on the ileum contents and feces of early weaned piglets. Several genus-level enrichments and depletions were observed in response to PD treatment. Of note, PD supplementation decreased the relative abundance of pathogenic organisms, including Defluviicoccus and Gardnerella, while markedly increasing that of commensal bacteria (genera Psychrobacter and Prevotella), which have important roles in nutrient absorption and immune response regulation. The most notable effect in the PD treatment groups was increased production of SCFAs in the feces of PD-treated weaned piglets. Correlation analysis revealed that the improvement in SCFAs was positively correlated with the increase in SCFA-producing bacteria. Overall, this study provides a more comprehensive understanding of the effects of PD supplementation on the fecal microbial community and the modulation of SCFA production in early weaned piglets, thus indicating that PD can be used to alleviate weaning stress in piglets.

Erythema papulatum centrifugum and new diagnostic criteria.

Erythema papulatum centrifugum (EPC), also known as erythema papulosa semicircularis recidivans (EPSR), is distinct from eczema and other well-described figurate erythemas characterised by annular erythematous lesions. We report 7 cases of EPC and propose new diagnostic criteria including the following: (i) EPC is characterised by single or multiple recurrent expanding annular or semi annular erythema with central regression, surrounded by tiny red papules; (ii) the lesions regularly relapse and resolve; (iii) the histopathologic feature shows superficial perivascular inflammation with or without mild inflammation around sweat glands in the mid dermis and (iv) patients lack other associated cutaneous or internal abnormalities.

Rosmarinic Acid, the Main Effective Constituent of Orthosiphon stamineus, Inhibits Intestinal Epithelial Apoptosis Via Regulation of the Nrf2 Pathway in Mice.

Many studies have shown that Orthosiphon stamineus extract (OE) has antioxidant activity, and we previously reported that OE protects the intestine against injury from a high-fat diet. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this protective effect of OE was unclear. Here, OE was separated according to polarity and molecular weight, and the antioxidant activity of each component was compared. The components with the highest antioxidant activity were analyzed by HPLC, which confirmed that rosmarinic acid (RA) was the main effective constituent in OE. OE and RA were then tested in a mouse high-fat diet-induced intestinal injury model. The antioxidant indices and morphological characteristics of the mouse jejunum were measured, and activation of the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway and apoptosis of jejunal epithelial cells were analyzed. Of all the constituents in OE, RA contributed the most. Both RA and OE activated the Nrf2 pathway and increased downstream antioxidant enzyme activity. RA and OE protected the mouse intestine against high-fat diet-induced oxidative stress by preventing intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis via both extracellular and intracellular pathways. Thus, RA, the main effective constituent in OE, inhibits intestinal epithelial apoptosis by regulating the Nrf2 pathway in mice.

Expression of death receptor 3 (DR3) on peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with psoriasis vulgaris.

BACKGROUND: A series of previous reports indicated that tumour necrosis factor-like ligand 1A (TL1A) and its receptor death receptor 3 (DR3) are involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis vulgaris (PV), which is a common chronic skin disease accompanied by a number of comorbidities, although their exact roles remain unclear. Our previous studies demonstrated that serum TL1A levels were substantially elevated in patients with PV, but the detection of DR3 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with PV had not been reported. Therefore, we detected DR3 expression on CD4+, CD8+, CD14+ and CD19+ PBMCs of patients with PV, atopic dermatitis (AD) and healthy volunteers. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from participants with PV before and after treatment. Then, PBMCs from patients with PV were isolated. The Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) was used to assess severity in patients with PV. The DR3 on CD4+, CD8+, CD14+ and CD19+ PBMCs were detected by flow cytometry analysis. Pearson's correlation analysis was then used to investigate the relationship between DR3 expression and PASI scores in patients with PV. RESULTS: Comparing with the healthy volunteers and patients with AD, the percentage of DR3-expressing on CD8+ and CD14+ PBMCs in patients with PV was elevated, but the percentage of DR3-expressing on CD8+ and CD14+ cells decreased after anti-inflammatory treatment, which was correlated with PASI scores. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, these findings suggest that DR3 may play a key role in the pathogenesis of PV.

Paeoniflorin suppresses inflammatory response in imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like mice and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from psoriasis patients.

Psoriasis is one of the most common immune-mediated chronic inflammatory skin disorders, characterized by hyperproliferation of keratinocytes, dilation and growth of dermal capillary vasculature, and cellular infiltration of T cells, dendritic cells (DCs), and neutrophils. Paeoniflorin (PF), the principal component of total glucosides of paeony (TGP), displays anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in several animal models. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms of PF in imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis-like mouse model. The effects of PF on inflammatory cytokine expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with psoriasis vulgaris were also observed. Our results indicated that PF effectively attenuated the clinical and histopathologic changes in IMQ-induced psoriasis-like mouse model. Furthermore, PF reduced the infiltration of T cells, CD11c(+)DCs, and neutrophils in lesional skin. In addition, PF also significantly decreased the mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-17, INF-γ, IL-6, and TNF-α, in IMQ-induced psoriasis-like mouse model and PBMCs from patients with psoriasis vulgaris. Hence, our data suggest that PF can inhibit leukocyte infiltration and decrease the expression of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-17, INF-γ, IL-6, and TNF-α. PF might be a candidate drug for the treatment of psoriasis.

Electrochemical activation of commercial polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fiber for the oxygen reduction reaction.

Nitrogen (N)-doped carbon and its non-noble metal composite replacing platinum-based oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts still have some fundamental problems that remain. Here the micron-sized commercial polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fiber (PAN-CF) electrode was modified using an electrochemical method, converting its inherent pyridinic-N into 2-pyridone (or 2-hydroxyl pyridine) functional group existing in three-dimensional active layers with remarkable ORR catalytic activity and stability. The carbon atom adjacent to the nitrogen and oxygen atoms is prone to act as an active site to efficiently catalyze a two-electron ORR process. However, after coordinating pyridone to the Cu(2+) ion, together with the electrochemical reaction, the chemical redox between Cu(+) and ORR intermediates synergistically tends towards a four-electron pathway in alkaline solution. In different medium, the complexation and dissociation can induce the charge transfer and reconstruction among proton, metal ion and pyridone functionalities, eventually leading to the changes of ORR performance.

Diffuse hyperpigmentation with guttate hypopigmentation: a new pigmentary disorder.

Diffuse hyperpigmentation with guttate hypopigmentation (DHGH) is a new acquired pigmentary disorder. Only a few cases have previously been reported in the Chinese population, in Chinese. To summarise the clinical, dermoscopic, and histopathological findings of DHGH in the English literature, to improve the recognition and management of this condition. This was a retrospective study to summarise the clinical, dermoscopic, and pathological findings of nine cases of DHGH. All nine patients with DHGH were female. The age at onset varied from 6 to 24 years (median 17 years). Patients were generally in good health without systemic disease. The lesions were often generalised to the trunk and extremities without any discomfort. Typical lesions were characterised by multiple uniform hypopigmented spots, 2-5 mm in diameter, irregularly distributed over diffuse hyperpigmentation. Dermoscopy revealed multiple blurred patchy areas of brownish pigmentation, sparse linear and dotted vessels, and perifollicular pigmentation on a white to bright white background, surrounded by brown hyperpigmentation. Histopathological findings included mild abnormal pigment of the epidermis, focal vacuolar degeneration of the basal cells, mild pigment incontinence and perivascular lymphocytic infiltration in the dermis. DHGH is a new entity with distinctive clinical manifestations that differ from those of other known pigmentary disorders. So far, DHGH has only been reported in the Chinese population. It may not be uncommon and has not received much attention due to the few reports. The aetiology and pathogenesis of DHGH are still unknown and require further investigation.

Targetoid haemosiderotic nevus: four cases and a literature review.

BACKGROUND: Targetoid haemosiderotic nevus (THN), a distinct clinical form of melanocytic nevus, is characterized by the sudden development of a purpuric halo surrounding a pre-existing nevus, easily mistaken for melanoma. OBJECTIVES: To summarise the clinical, dermoscopic and histopathological findings of THN in order to better recognize and manage this condition. MATERIALS & METHODS: We describe four cases and provide a review of the literature based on a search in PubMed. Overall, the clinical, dermoscopic and pathological findings of 15 THN cases are summarised. RESULTS: THN was characterized by a sudden onset of a purpuric halo surrounding a pre-existing nevus without any apparent trigger which occurred mainly in young females. Dermoscopically, the central nevus showed a black-brown, globular or homogeneous pattern, possibly interspersed with reddish, purple, or black structureless areas and comma-shaped vessels. The peripheric purpuric halo had two patterns: one with homogeneous reddish or purplish red areas, and another with an inner pale and outer homogeneous reddish or purplish red zone. The pathological findings showed an intradermal or compound nevus, dilated vessels, and extravasated erythrocytes, possibly accompanied by perivascular inflammatory infiltration and fibrin and hemosiderin deposits. CONCLUSION: THN is a benign lesion that usually requires no intervention other than follow-up observation. Dermoscopy is a useful non-invasive diagnostic tool, and biopsy can be avoided. The purpuric halo resolves spontaneously within two to four weeks with rare recurrence.

2-(4-Meth-oxy-1H-indol-3-yl)acetonitrile.

In the title compound, C(11)H(10)N(2)O, the cyanide group is twisted away from the indole-ring plane [C(cy)-C(me)-C(ar)-C(ar) = 70.7 (2)°; cy = cyanide, me = methyl-ene, ar = aromatic], whereas the meth-oxy C atom is almost coplanar with the ring system [displacement = 0.014 (5) Å]. In the crystal, N-H⋯N hydrogen bonds link the mol-ecules into C(7) chains propagating in [100].

Supplementation with Fermented Feedstuff Enhances Orexin Expression and Secretion Associated with Increased Feed Intake and Weight Gain in Weaned Pigs.

The health status of weaned pigs is crucial for their subsequent growth performance. Supplementation with fermented feedstuff is able to improve the feed intake and growth of weaned pigs; however, the exact mechanism behind this is not clear. Hence, in the present study a total of 320 Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire weaned pigs were selected and allocated to the following two groups: unfermented diet group (UFD) and fermented diet group (FD). The experimental period lasted 21 days. At the end of the experiment, feces, blood, and gastrointestinal tissue samples (including the stomach, jejunum, and ileum) were collected and used for further analysis. The results of growth performance suggested that the FD group had significantly increased (p < 0.05) average daily feed intake (ADFI) and average daily gain (ADG) during the first week, during the last two weeks, and over the entire three-week period compared with the UFD group. The results of the apparent nutrient digestibility of pigs showed that, compared with the UFD group, the FD group showed increased phosphorus (p < 0.05) and CP (p < 0.1) digestibility. There were no significant differences in the serum biochemical parameters between the UFD and FD groups. Moreover, our results showed that the FD group showed significantly increased gene expression of SGLT1 and PepT1 in the jejunum (p < 0.05). Compared with the UFD group, the FD group showed an increased (p < 0.05) serum orexin level and prepro-orexin (PPOX) expression in the gastric fundus, jejunum, and ileum mucosa and increased IGF-1 and IGFR expression in the jejunum. Collectively, these results indicated that supplementation with fermented feedstuff in the diet effectively enhanced the feed intake and growth of weaned pigs and that this may have been caused by the increased orexin, IGF-1, and IGFR serum levels.