Single-Cell RNA-Sequencing Analyses Identify APLNR, INS-IGF2, RGCC Genes May Be Involved in the Pathogenesis of Systemic Sclerosis Skin.

Background: Systemic sclerosis represents a persistent autoimmune disorder marked with fibrosis affecting both skin and other organs, which leads to a diminished quality of life and increased mortality. The affected skin provides a valuable opportunity to explore the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis. Nevertheless, the roles of various cell populations within scleroderma remain intricate. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive reanalysis of recently published single-cell RNA-sequencing data from skin tissue cells in scleroderma. Through the utilization of Seurat, irGSEA, AUCell packages, and WGCNA analysis, we aimed to unveil crucial genes associated with the disease's etiological factors. Our investigation involved the characterization of heterogeneous pathway activities in both healthy and SSc-affected skin. Furthermore, we employed immunofluorescence techniques to validate the expression patterns of hub genes and differentially expressed genes. Results: The Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EndMT) pathway was upregulated in SSc skin. Notably, the M4 module within Endothelial cell subpopulation 1 exhibited a strong association with EndMT. Furthermore, we identified three overexpressed genes (APLNR, INS-IGF2, RGCC) that demonstrated a significant correlation with EndMT. Importantly, their expression levels were markedly higher in skin of individuals with SSc when compared to healthy controls. Conclusion: APLNR, INS-IGF2 and RGCC serve as potential key players in the pathogenesis of SSc skin through EndMT-dependent mechanisms.

Real-World Effectiveness of Omalizumab in Chronic Urticaria: A Clinical Observational Study.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical effectiveness and safety profile of omalizumab as a therapeutic intervention for chronic urticaria (CU). METHODS: From March 1, 2023, to September 30, 2023, data on a cohort comprising 96 patients with CU, who underwent treatment with omalizumab at our medical institution's allergy clinic, were systematically compiled. Subsequent to the administration of omalizumab, the therapeutic efficacy was assessed utilizing the 7-day urticaria activity score and the urticaria control test. RESULTS: Based on the statistical analysis, the mean duration of therapeutic intervention was 2.4 ± 1.3 months, with a corresponding mean cumulative dosage of 765 ± 450 mg. Of the subset of 42 patients with CU who were subjected to a follow-up period exceeding 3 months, it was observed that the treatment led to complete symptom remission, and no instances of recurrence were documented. Notably, there were statistically significant differences in the treatment duration and the cumulative dosage between patients who experienced co-morbid conditions and those who did not (p < 0.01, 95% CI: 0.280-1.326; p < 0.01, 95% CI: 0.597-2.997). Furthermore, there were significant differences in the treatment duration and cumulative dosage between patients in the combined allergic rhinitis group and those in the non-combined allergic rhinitis group (p < 0.01, 95% CI: 0.204-1.305; p = 0.01, 95% CI: 0.326-2.860). CONCLUSION: Omalizumab demonstrates efficacy in the management of CU among Chinese patients by exerting effective symptom control and facilitating the regression of skin lesions. The assessment of its therapeutic efficacy typically requires a 12-week treatment period. Moreover, the co-occurrence of CU with other allergic disorders serves as a pertinent consideration for the adjustment of omalizumab dosing regimens.

A study of the biological effects of low-level light.

Low-level light therapy (LLLT), also known as photo biomodulation (PBM), is a type of optical therapy that uses red or near-infrared lasers or light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for medical treatment. The laser wavelengths involved in PBM typically range between 600-700 nm and 780-1100 nm, with power densities ranging between 5 mW/cm2 and 5 W/cm2. PBM is a series of biochemical cascades exhibited by biological tissues after absorbing a certain amount of energy from light. PBM has been widely used in clinical practice in the past 20 years, and numerous clinical trials have demonstrated its biological efficacy. However, the underlying mechanisms have not yet been fully explored. In this paper, we have summarized the research into PBM over the past two decades, to identify the important mechanisms of the biological effects of PBM from the perspective of molecular mechanisms, cellular levels, and tissue changes. We hope our study provide a theoretical basis for future investigations into the underlying mechanisms.

Altered skin fungal and bacterial community compositions in tinea capitis.

BACKGROUND: Tinea capitis is an infection of the scalp and hair shaft caused by dermatophytes that predominantly occurs in children. Skin fungal infections have been found to be associated with alterations in the overall bacterial and fungal communities. However, the scalp microbiome in tinea capitis have not been fully investigated. OBJECTIVES: To investigate and compare the scalp bacterial and fungal microbiomes between children with tinea capitis and healthy children and between children and adults. METHODS: Skin samples were collected from the scalp. Bacterial and fungal community compositions were analysed by amplification sequencing of the V3-V4 of 16S rDNA and ITS1-5F, respectively. RESULTS: The predominant fungi detected using amplicon sequencing were consistent with the culture- or real-time PCR-positive pathogens in most samples. Children with tinea capitis had lower fungal and higher bacterial Shannon diversity than healthy children. A higher relative abundance of pathogenic fungi and significant alterations in the bacterial community in the lesional sites of tinea capitis than healthy scalps. Compared with adults, healthy children were characterised by higher Shannon diversities with significantly lower relative abundances of Malassezia and Cutibacterium and higher relative abundances of Candida and Streptococcus. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that tinea capitis was characterised by significant alterations in both fungal and bacterial communities and amplicon sequencing could be a complementary method for pathogen identification.

Mucormycosis in Mainland China: A Systematic Review of Case Reports.

BACKGROUND: Mucormycosis is a lethal fungal infection with increasing incidence. The epidemiology of mucormycosis in current mainland China has not been fully elucidated. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the epidemiology, risk factors, manifestations, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of mucormycosis in mainland China. METHODS: We searched for published mucormycosis case reports/series in mainland China in the PubMed, WanFang and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases from January 2001 to July 2020. Cases of proven/probable mucormycosis were included. RESULTS: A total of 390 cases were included in this review. Most of the patients were male (61.3%), and diabetes was the most common predisposing factor (37.2%). Pulmonary mucormycosis (42.1%) was the most common form followed by cutaneous infection (21.0%). Of 390 patients, 24 died before therapy. Among the remaining 366 patients, 208 (56.8%) received antifungal drugs alone, 16 (4.4%) received surgery alone, and 142 (38.8%) received a combination of drugs and surgery, the mortality of the last group is much lower (34/142, 23.9%). The overall mortality was 37.2%. A multivariate analysis indicated that factors associated with increased mortality included corticosteroid use alone as immunosuppressive therapy, rhino-orbito-cerebral or disseminated mucormycosis (compared with pulmonary mucormycosis), and drug administration other than amphotericin B (AmB), posaconazole (POS) and itraconazole (ITR) (compared with the use of conventional AmB), while factors associated with decreased mortality included cutaneous mucormycosis and surgical therapy. Combination or sequential antifungal therapy of AmB and POS or ITR did not reduce mortality compared with conventional AmB monotherapy. CONCLUSION: In mainland China, mucormycosis is a serious fungal infection with high mortality. Corticosteroid use, rhino-orbito-cerebral and disseminated mucormycosis were adverse prognostic factors. Antifungal therapy combined with surgery could improve the prognosis.

Thyroid Hormone Receptor Agonist Promotes Hair Growth in Mice.

Background: Thyroxine is important to maintain the normal operation of the body. Both clinical and experimental results show thyroxine is closely related to hair growth, the mechanism of which is not fully understood. Purpose: Investigate the effect of thyroxine receptor agonist, TDM10842, for dorsal hair growth in C3H mice and explore its underlying mechanism. Methods: Depilated mice were applied with the TDM10842, vehicle of this drug and without any materials on dorsal skin. RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) was employed to identify the change in gene expression of skin tissues. Quantitative real-time PCR (rt-PCR) and immunoblotting were conducted to validate key differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between different groups. Results: The TDM group showed early induction of anagen. 857, 782, and 276 differentially expressed genes were identified between 3 groups. As a critical DEG in group TDM, Pclaf was positively related to the motivation of Wnt/beta-catenin and Hedgehog signaling pathways, with a high expression of Ki67 and cyclinD1. Conclusion: TDM10842 accelerates the anagen entrance and the potential mechanism might be the activation of Wnt/beta-catenin and Hedgehog pathways. Pclaf serves as a critical molecule involved in pathway activation, and cyclinD1 is an important effector protein downstream of the pathways.

Gut microbiota alterations in moderate to severe acne vulgaris patients.

Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis affecting approximately 85% of adolescents. There are many factors contributing to the development of this ailment. A recent study indicated that gut microbiota takes part in the pathogenesis of acne. We aimed to investigate the link between acne vulgaris and gut microbiota. A total of 31 moderate to severe acne vulgaris patients and 31 healthy controls were enrolled. We collected their feces, and gut microbiota was evaluated by the hypervariable regions of 16S rRNA genes through high-throughput sequencing. We identified links between acne vulgaris and changes of gut microbiota. At the phylum level, Actinobacteria (0.89% in acne patients and 2.84% in normal controls, P = 0.004) was decreased and Proteobacteria (8.35% in acne patients and 7.01% in normal controls, P = 0.031) was increased. At the genus level, Bifidobacterium, Butyricicoccus, Coprobacillus, Lactobacillus and Allobaculum were all decreased. The observed difference in genera between acne patients and healthy controls provides a new insight into the link between gut microbiota changes and acne vulgaris risk.