An integrated expression atlas of miRNAs and their promoters in human and mouse.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs with key roles in cellular regulation. As part of the fifth edition of the Functional Annotation of Mammalian Genome (FANTOM5) project, we created an integrated expression atlas of miRNAs and their promoters by deep-sequencing 492 short RNA (sRNA) libraries, with matching Cap Analysis Gene Expression (CAGE) data, from 396 human and 47 mouse RNA samples. Promoters were identified for 1,357 human and 804 mouse miRNAs and showed strong sequence conservation between species. We also found that primary and mature miRNA expression levels were correlated, allowing us to use the primary miRNA measurements as a proxy for mature miRNA levels in a total of 1,829 human and 1,029 mouse CAGE libraries. We thus provide a broad atlas of miRNA expression and promoters in primary mammalian cells, establishing a foundation for detailed analysis of miRNA expression patterns and transcriptional control regions.

Are there predominant strains and toxins of Staphylococcus aureus in atopic dermatitis patients? Genotypic characterization and toxin determination of S. aureus isolated in adolescent and adult patients with atopic dermatitis.

The colonization of Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most important aggravating factors of atopic dermatitis (AD). Until now, the importance of S. aureus in AD and a positive correlation between colonization with S. aureus and clinical severity/skin barrier function has been demonstrated. The aim of this study was to determine whether there are certain clones of S. aureus which colonize the skin of AD patients. For this purpose, the genotype of S. aureus isolated from AD patients was examined by newly-developed typing methods. With 36 strains of S. aureus isolated from 35 patients with AD, spa typing, multi-locus sequence typing (MLST), and staphylococcal toxin gene assay by multiplex polymerase chain reaction, were performed. Clinical severity and skin barrier function were evaluated with eczema area and severity index (EASI) and with transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Among 36 strains of S. aureus, 14 sequence types (ST) and 20 spa types were identified, suggesting a very heterogeneous genetic composition of S. aureus and the absence of a prevailing genotype in S. aureus colonized with AD patients. Furthermore, there was no specific genotype of S. aureus which was associated with the clinical severity of AD or skin barrier dysfunction. A toxin gene assay, however, showed the predominance of S. aureus strains carrying sea and/or tsst-1. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to show the genetic composition of S. aureus strains isolated from AD patients determined by sequence-based typing methods.

The influence of 3% hydrogen peroxide on the survival rate of hair grafts when used as an antiseptic solution for surgical wound care: experience with five patients.

BACKGROUND: A solution of 3% hydrogen peroxide is one of the most widely used antiseptics to decrease bacterial colonization. OBJECTIVE: We performed this study to evaluate influence of 3% hydrogen peroxide on the survival rate of hair grafts. METHODS: We designed two templates on both frontoparietal recesses of five patients with male pattern alopecia. Follicular units containing single hairs were obtained from occiput. We grafted approximately 50 follicular units on each template. The gauze with normal saline was applied on the left template and the gauze with 3% hydrogen peroxide on the right template for 5 minutes. This procedure was repeated four times at 30-minute intervals. The number of surviving hairs of each template was counted 3 and 10 months after hair transplantation. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in the mean survival rate of the grafts between hydrogen peroxide and normal saline 3 and 10 months after transplantation (Mann-Whitney test, p>.05). CONCLUSION: We think surgical wound care with 3% hydrogen peroxide during hair restoration surgery does not affect the survival rate of hair grafts when compared with normal saline. We also need further evaluation with larger participants to overcome small sample size and to gather other information.

Correlation of clinical features and skin barrier function in adolescent and adult patients with atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Xerotic changes in atopic skin are considered to be related to a decrease in the water permeability barrier. Whether abnormal skin barrier function is the main cause of atopic dermatitis (AD) or a secondary change of the disease is still controversial. Noninvasive bioengineering methods, including the measurement of the transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and water capacitance, have been commonly used to evaluate skin barrier function. AIM: To evaluate the correlation between the clinical features of each evaluation site (severity of AD) and skin barrier function. METHODS: TEWL, capacitance, and pH were checked on five evaluation sites: postauricle, forearm, abdomen, thigh, and popliteal fossa. The subjects included 25 patients, both adolescents and adults, with AD and 25 age-matched normal controls. The clinical severity, from 0 (no clinical manifestation) to 3 (severe), was also scored for erythema, induration/papulation, lichenification, and xerosis on each evaluation site of the AD patients. RESULTS: Based on the data, we found that the clinical severity score was correlated with TEWL and capacitance in more than one-half of the evaluation sites. Erythema and induration/papulation showed a statistically significant correlation with TEWL in most cases (P < 0.05, four sites). Lichenification and xerosis showed a significant correlation with capacitance in most cases (P < 0.05, four sites). In most cases, severity scoring of the clinical features did not show a significant correlation with skin pH. The patients showed higher TEWL and lower capacitance than normal controls (P < 0.05, all five sites). CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study suggest that skin barrier function, measured by TEWL and capacitance, and clinical severity show a statistically significant correlation in patients with AD.

Survival rate according to grafted density of Korean one-hair follicular units with a hair transplant implanter: Experience with four patients.

BACKGROUND: The survival rate of grafted hairs in hair transplantation has been frequently discussed by many hair-transplant surgeons. Several factors, including skill of doctors and assistants and the amount of perifollicular connective tissue, are suggested to have predictive values in foretelling the eventual quantity of hair growth. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to determine survival rate according to density of Korean one-hair follicular units grafted with a KNU implanter. METHODS: We designed four templates of 1 cm2 made by tattooing two templates on each side of empty frontoparietal recesses in four Korean patients with male pattern alopecia (beyond Norwood-Hamilton-Type IIIa). One-hair follicular units were prepared from occiput and we grafted 20, 30, 40, and 50 one-hair follicular units using a KNU implanter on each template, respectively, and counted the number of surviving hairs after 10 months. RESULTS: The survival rate of 20 and 30 grafts per template was higher than that of 40 and 50 grafts. CONCLUSION: We think that 30 one-hair follicular units grafted with a KNU implanter is the proper density for better survival in Korean hair transplantation, and repeated sessions will be necessary for a better final result. However, we need further evaluation with a larger number of participants to overcome the small sample size and limitation of one-hair follicular unit grafts. The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters.