Effects of picosecond laser on the multi-colored tattoo removal using Hartley guinea pig: A preliminary study.

Picosecond lasers have emerged as the leading technology for tattoo removal due to their shorter pulse lengths. To clarify the features of picosecond lasers, we compared picosecond and nanosecond lasers in their ability to remove multi-colored tattoo in an animal model. We first compared a nanosecond quality-switched Nd:YAG laser with picosecond Alexandrite and quality-switched Nd:YAG lasers and then the picosecond quality-switched Nd:YAG laser with the picosecond Alexandrite laser, using a guinea pig model. The colors in the tattoos included red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and black. Guinea pigs were treated for one session with each type of laser. The clearance of pigmentation and local reactions were evaluated based on clinical photographic assessment, quantitative assessment using a colorimeter, histopathology, and electron microscopic examination before laser treatment, immediately after, and at 3 weeks after the treatment. Regardless of pulse duration, a 532-nm laser was the most effective in clearing red, orange, and yellow pigments, although the overall effect and safety was better with the picosecond 532 nm laser. A picosecond 755 nm laser demonstrated excellent efficacy in removing only green and blue pigments. a picosecond 1064 nm laser demonstrated some effects on non-black colored tattoos. In terms of safety, picosecond lasers produced less tissue injury than nanosecond lasers. Conclusively, picosecond lasers are more effective and safer than nanosecond lasers.

Intensely Pruritic Papules and Plaques in Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia.

Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM) is lymphoplasmacytoid malignancy that affects B lymphocytes. Cutaneous involvement of WM is rare, but various cutaneous manifestations have been reported. These findings are due to various pathological processes including direct invasion of tumor cells into the skin, deposition of paraproteins, hyperviscosity syndrome, and cryoglobulinemia. A 64-year-old man presented with a 10-day history of pruritic erythematous papules and plaques on his trunk and elbows. The clinical features were suspicious for eczematous dermatitis. However, treatments such as oral antihistamines, topical steroids, ultraviolet light therapy and immunomodulators (dapsone and cyclosporine) were minimally effective. The patient's hemoglobin decreased gradually, and he was referred to the department of hematology. Serum electrophoresis exhibited a monoclonal peak in the ß1 region. The diagnosis of WM was established based on a bone marrow biopsy that revealed 80% lymphoplasma cellularity, staining positive for CD20 and CD79a. However, there was no direct infiltration of tumor cells or immunoglobulin deposition on the skin biopsy. After the patient started rituximab, cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone therapy, anemia and neutropenia gradually improved. His pruritus also markedly subsided. Although there was no evidence of infiltration of WM in the skin lesions, they were thought to be strongly associated with monoclonal gammopathy. This dermatologic feature has not been documented as a nonspecific cutaneous manifestation of WM or monoclonal gammopathy. To clarify the association between intensely pruritic papules/plaques and WM, more reports and further studies could be needed.

Gender-specific risk factors for androgenetic alopecia in the Korean general population: Associations with medical comorbidities and general health behaviors.

BACKGROUND: The relationships between androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and various factors related to metabolic syndrome have been demonstrated in previous studies. However, it remains unclear because of inconsistent results. We investigated the associations between AGA and various risk factors related to metabolic syndrome according to gender. METHODS: We conducted a population-based cross-sectional survey of 2028 Koreans (1050 men, 978 women). The basic and specific (BASP) classification was used for diagnosis of AGA. We collected information on risk factors though questionnaires and medical records. RESULTS: AGA was significantly associated with age, family history of AGA, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and waist circumference in both genders. Female subjects with AGA were more likely to have cerebrovascular disease, dyslipidemia, and obesity; however, these associations were not observed in the male subjects. When multiple regression analysis was applied, there was a significant relationship between hypertension and AGA in male subjects. However, there was no statistically significant association in female subjects. CONCLUSION: The different results according to gender might arise from different mechanisms of AGA. There was a significant relationship between hypertension and AGA in male subjects. Evaluation of blood pressure in male patients with AGA might facilitate interventions for hypertension.

The Effect of Rhus verniciflua Stokes Extracts on Photo-Aged Mouse Skin.

BACKGROUND: Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RV) has traditionally been used in Korea as an indigenous food (Rhus chicken soup) and as an herbal medicinal plant. While the anticancer, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties of RV have been actively studied in the medical field, its antioxidant effects in the skin that resist the reactive oxygen species in keratinocytes and fibroblasts is less understood. OBJECTIVE: We designed to evaluate the effects of R. verniciflua Stokes extract (RVE) on the photo-aged skin by an in vitro experiment using human fibroblasts and an in vivo experiment using a photo-aged murine model. METHODS: For the in vitro experiments, human fibroblasts irradiated with ultraviolet (UV) B were treated with RVE or vehicle, and the growth levels and the expression level of type 1 procollagen were compared. For the in vivo experiment, photo-aged mice irradiated with UVB and UVA were administered drinking water with or without RVE, and histological changes and the expression level of type 1 procollagen and matrix metalloprotease (MMP)-13 were compared. RESULTS: In vitro experiments using fibroblasts irradiated with UVB showed that RVE promoted growth and significantly increased the expression of type 1 procollagen as compared to the control group. In the photo-aged mice, RVE increased collagen content in the dermis and promoted the synthesis of type 1 procollagen without any visible decrease in MMP-13 as compared to control group. CONCLUSION: In addition to the previously reported antioxidant effects of RVE, oral intake of RVE effectively inhibited photo-aging in hairless mice by enhancing collagen synthesis.

Almost Unilateral Focal Dermal Hypoplasia.

Focal dermal hypoplasia, caused by mutations in PORCN, is an X-linked ectodermal dysplasia, also known as Goltz syndrome. Only seven cases of unilateral or almost unilateral focal dermal hypoplasia have been reported in the English literature and there have been no previously reported cases in the Republic of Korea. A 19-year-old female presented with scalp defects, skin lesions on the right leg and the right trunk, and syndactyly of the right fourth and fifth toes. Cutaneous examination revealed multiple atrophic plaques and a brown and yellow mass with fat herniation and telangiectasia that was mostly located on the lower right leg. She had syndactyly on the right foot and the scalp lesion appeared to be an atrophic, membranous, fibrotic alopecic scar. A biopsy of the calf revealed upper dermal extension of fat cells, dermal atrophy, and loss of dermal collagen. A diagnosis of almost unilateral focal dermal hypoplasia was made on the basis of physical and histologic findings. Henceforth, the patient was referred to a plastic surgeon and an orthopedics department to repair her syndactyly.