Recombinant human thymosin beta-4 (rhTß4) improved scalp condition and microbiome homeostasis in seborrheic dermatitis.

Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is a recurrent common inflammatory skin disease that affects all ethnic groups in all regions worldwide. However, no specific treatment or preventive measure is yet available. Identifying effective treatments with acceptable safety and tolerability is desirable. In this study, scalp microbiota alterations were measured in SD, showing significantly greater abundance of Malassezia and Staphylococcus and diminished fungal and bacterial diversity compared with healthy controls. We investigated the benefit of a 4-week treatment with 0.5 mg ml-1 recombinant human thymosin ß4 (rhTß4) gel or 2% ketoconazole lotion on the scalp condition of 71 patients with SD compared with 21 healthy individuals. Clinical assessment (Adherent Scalp Flaking Score, and the Maximum Erythema Area) and physiological conditions (transepidermal water loss, hydration, and sebum secretion) were evaluated. The rhTß4 treatment provided significantly greater efficacy than ketoconazole and a sustained effect in the treatment of scalp SD. More importantly, rhTß4 dramatically improved the microbiome homeostasis and prompted a shift of scalp microflora towards healthy composition, helping symptoms and ameliorating physiological conditions more effectively and durably than ketoconazole. Our research demonstrated the scalp microbe dysbiosis of SD and highlighted rhTß4 as a promising therapeutic strategy in the prevention and treatment of SD.

Malassezia and Staphylococcus dominate scalp microbiome for seborrheic dermatitis.

Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is a common disease of the human scalp that causes physical damage and psychological problems for patients. Studies have indicated that dysbiosis of the scalp microbiome results in SD. However, the specific fungal and bacterial microbiome changes related to SD remain elusive. To further investigate the fungal and bacterial microbiome changes associated with SD, we recruited 57 SD patients and 53 healthy individuals and explored their scalp microbiomes using next generation sequencing and the QIIME and LEfSe bioinformatics tools. Skin pH, sebum secretion, hydration, and trans-epidermal water loss (TWEL) were also measured at the scalp. We found no statistically significant differences between the normal and lesion sites in SD patients with different subtypes of dandruff and erythema. However, the fungal and bacterial microbiome could differentiate SD patients from healthy controls. The presence of Malassezia and Aspergillus was both found to be potential fungal biomarkers for SD, while Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas were found to be potential bacterial biomarkers. The fungal and bacterial microbiome were divided into three clusters through co-abundance analysis and their correlations with host factors indicated the interactions and potential cooperation and resistance between microbe communities and host. Our research showed the skin microbe dysbiosis of SD and highlighted specific microorganisms that may serve as potential biomarkers of SD. The etiology of SD is multi-pathogenetic-dependent on the linkage of several microbes with host. Scalp microbiome homeostasis could be a promising new target in the risk assessment, prevention, and treatment of SD disease.

[A real-world study of low molecular weight heparin sodium in the treatment of severe and critical bite by Trimeresurus stejnegeri].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect of low molecular weight heparin sodium combined with antivenin in the treatment of severe and critical bite by Trimeresurus stejnegeri. METHODS: The clinical data of 48 patients with severe or critical bite by Trimeresurus stejnegeri admitted to emergency department of Southeast Hospital Affiliated to Xiamen University from March 2017 to May 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. On the basis of early treatment of antivenom serum, internal administration and external application of Jidesheng snake tablet, and wound incision and detoxification, the patients were divided into heparin treatment group and non-heparin treatment group according to whether the low molecular heparin sodium was used or not. The patients in the two groups were compared in terms of gender, age, clinical classification, swelling degree of injured limbs, change of coagulation function index, bleeding of skin, mucous membrane or digestive tract, blood transfusion, local symptoms of bite, length of hospital stay and prognosis. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in terms of gender, age, clinical classification or swelling degree of injured limbs between the two groups. On the 3rd day of treatment, the platelet count (PLT) in the heparin treatment group was significantly higher than that in the non-heparin treatment group [×109/L: 210.0 (160.0, 252.0) vs. 136.0 (104.0, 198.5), P < 0.05]. However, there was no significant difference in the four coagulation test results between the two groups. On the 6th day of treatment, the plasma thrombin time (TT) in the heparin treatment group was significantly shorter than that on the 3rd day of treatment [s: 30.3 (20.4, 37.0) vs. 34.7 (24.0, 73.4), P < 0.05], and the fibrinogen (FIB) in the heparin treatment group was significantly higher than that in the non-heparin treatment group [g/L: 0.60 (0.31, 1.07) vs. 0.20 (0.14, 0.60), P < 0.01]. The incidence of bleeding in the heparin treatment group was significantly lower than that in the non-heparin treatment group [21.7% (5/23) vs. 64.0% (16/25), P < 0.01]; 11 patients in the heparin treatment group and 18 patients in the non-heparin treatment group received blood transfusion and prothrombin complex supplement respectively. There was no significant difference in the length of hospital stay between the heparin group and non-heparin treatment group (days: 6.91±1.92 vs. 7.48±2.27, P > 0.05). The patients in both groups were followed up for 1 week to 1 month after treatment, and no death or local necrosis of skin and soft tissue was found. CONCLUSIONS: For the patients with severe and critical bite by Trimeresurus stejnegeri, on the basis of injection of antivenom serum, internal administration and external application of Jidesheng snake tablet, and wound incision and detoxification, early application of low molecular weight heparin sodium anticoagulation and other comprehensive treatment is helpful to improve limb swelling and inflammation, reduce blood transfusion, promote the recovery of coagulation function, and shorten the length of hospitalization.

[Mandatory regulations and standards regarding cosmetic botanic ingredients in major countries and regions].

Cosmetics containing botanic ingredients have been used from thousands of years up to now in China. Because of the consumers' demand for health and beauty,the number of products about " botanic" have been growing rapidly in the cosmetics market,which has played an important role in upgrading the industry and enhancing the international competitiveness nowadays. Therefore,to strengthen the management about used botanic raw materials in cosmetics products and revise the application regulation of new raw materials has become an important work to ensure product quality,promote the healthy and stable development of cosmetic business. The article summarizes the related mandatory regulations and standards about botanic ingredients which used as activity function in major cosmetic business countries or regions. Furthermore,the information of botanic ingredients commonly used in non-special cosmetics notification and special cosmetic registration system were described to expect the better application and development.