A Novel Surgical Approach for Rhinophyma: Experience From a Cohort of Thirty Patients.

BACKGROUND: Rhinophyma is the severe rosacea whit hypertrophy of sebaceous glands in nasal tissue, which severely influences the patient's appearance. Surgical therapy is the best method for treating moderate-to-severe rhinophyma. In this study, we used a new ameliorated scarification for 30 patients with moderate-to-severe rhinophyma. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of five-blades scratcher surgery on moderate-to severe rhinophyma between 2016 and 2019 in our center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 30 patients were treated with five-blades scratcher under tumescent anesthesia. Outcomes were determined by a patient questionnaire. RESULTS: Of 30 patients, all of them answered the questionnaire and were included in this study with a follow-up time of 12 months. Cosmetic results were evaluated as very good or good in 90% of patients. The majority of patients (87%) were very satisfied or satisfied with the postoperative result. Surgical treatment of rhinophyma improved patients' quality of life in 67% of patients. Recurrence of rhinophyma was detected in 7% of patients. In all, 100% of the patients stated that they would recommend this treatment to others. CONCLUSIONS: Five-blades scratcher is an effective therapy for rhinophyma with excellent outcome.

Oxymatrine Sensitizes the HaCaT Cells to the IFN-γ Pathway and Downregulates MDC, ICAM-1, and SOCS1 by Activating p38, JNK, and Akt.

Decreased interferon (IFN)-γ levels and increased levels of macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 are known to be involved in allergic skin diseases, such as eczema and atopic dermatitis. Activation of the IFN-γ and its downstream interleukin-12 (IL-12) pathway can correct these diseases. Suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) is a cytokine signaling inhibitor that blocks downstream pathways of IFN-γ by blocking the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathways. Oxymatrine (OMT), a quinolizidine alkaloid extracted from the herbal medicine Radix Sophorae flavescentis, is used to treat allergic skin diseases in China. The non-cytotoxic concentrations of OMT in HaCaT cells were determined through 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IFN-γ were used to stimulate HaCaT cells, and OMT was added to this system with tacrolimus (FK506) as a positive control. The mRNAs of cytokines, MDC, ICAM-1, IL-12p35, IL-12p40, and IFN-γ receptor (IFN-γR)α were detected by RT-PCR. Western blot analyses were performed to assess activation of the MAPK (p38, Jun N-terminal kinase, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase) and Akt signaling pathways. OMT increased the mRNA levels of the IL-12 and IFN-γRα, reduced the mRNA levels of ICAM-1, MDC, and SOCS1. But FK506 increased the mRNA levels of IL12 and inhibited the expression of ICAM-1 mRNAs and had no effects on the IFN-γRα, MDC, and SOCS1 mRNA in HaCaT cells stimulated with TNF-α and IFN-γ. Thus, the mechanisms through which OMT and FK506 ameliorate allergic skin diseases differ.

Evaluation of Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Qingre-Qushi Recipe (QRQS) against Atopic Dermatitis: Potential Mechanism of Inhibition of IL-33/ST2 Signal Transduction.

To evaluate the anti-inflammatory activities of QRQS against AD and the inhibitory molecular mechanisms of IL-33/ST2 signal transduction, BALB/c mice were divided into six groups (normal control, OVA control, low-dose of QRQS, middle-dose of QRQS, high-dose of QRQS, and cetirizine) and epicutaneously exposed to ovalbumin or PBS for 3 weeks and treated with QRQS for 2 weeks. Skin biopsies and blood samples were obtained for histological study, antibody analysis, and RNA isolation. HaCaT cells, stimulated by TNF-α and IFN-γ, were treated with QRQS to evaluate mRNA and protein expression by RT-PCR and ELISA. QRQS decreased both epidermal and dermal thickness, alleviated dermatitis, and reduced IL-33 and ST2 positive cell numbers. The concentration of specific IgE, IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a antibodies in serum and the expression of IL-33, ST2, IL-1RAcP, IL-4, and IL-13 mRNA in the skin were suppressed. No significant difference exists in TNF-α or IFN-γ. QRQS decreased IL-33 mRNA and protein secretion in HaCaT cells exposed to TNF-α and IFN-γ in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. QRQS regulates related molecule expression of ovalbumin-induced dermatitis involved in the IL-33/ST2 signaling axis in the treatment of acute AD.

Efficacy of topical administration of Radix Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae on multiple plantar warts: A parallel randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical efficacy of Radix Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae in treating multiple plantar warts. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with multiple plantar warts on both left and right feet were recruited. Warts on the left feet (treatment group) of all patients were externally treated with moderate ethanol extract of Radix Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae which was made of 30 g Radix Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae putting into 100 mL of medical ethanol (75%). For the control group, moderate dose of 0.1% vitamin A acid ointment was externally applied onto the right-foot warts. The topical application of each treatment was conducted 3 times a day for both groups. After 4 and 8 weeks, the efficacy and side effects including skin erythema and blister were evaluated and observed. RESULTS: Compared with the pre-treatment, warts size of the control group was reduced after 8-week treatment (P<0.05). After 4 and 8 weeks, the average wart size in the treatment group was both significantly reduced respectively (P<0.01). There were significant differences in warts size and total effective rate between the two groups after 4-week treatment respectively (P<0.05 or P<0.01). More significant differences in wart size and total effective rate were observed after 8-week treatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The percentage reduction in wart size was significantly different between the two groups after 4 and 8-week treatment (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Radix Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae was significantly superior to vitamin A acid ointment in treating multiple plantar warts.