Commercial dynamics in urban China during the COVID-19 recession: Vulnerability and short-term adaptation of commercial centers in Shanghai.

Studying the commercial dynamics during the COVID-19 recession could help deepen our understanding of how the pandemic damages the commercial economy and how to against the pandemic. This study aims to explore the vulnerability and adaptation of commercial centers using a weekly consumption data of UnionPay cards in Shanghai. A vulnerability index and multiscale geographically weighted regressions (MGWR) are employed. Our results suggest that retail, leisure, and entertainment sectors are less vulnerable to the pandemic at the early stage, when catering, life service, and wholesale sectors are more influenced. Catering, life service, and wholesale sectors were better adapted to the second wave of the pandemic, while the retail and entertainment sectors were even more vulnerable. Further analysis using MGWR models suggests that the commercial centers with higher consumption volume are better adapted to the shock. The diversity of commercial sectors mainly reduces low-level commercial centers' vulnerability to the pandemic. The commercial centers targeting high-end consumers with wider hinterland were less adapted to the pandemic. These research outcomes reveal the disparities in commercial centers' vulnerability against COVID-19 and highlight adaptation's role during the pandemic.

A nomogram combining clinical factors and biomarkers for predicting the recurrence of high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Although determining the recurrence of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is important, currently suggested systems and single biomarkers have limited power for predicting recurrence. OBJECTIVE: In this study, combinations of clinical factors and biomarkers were adapted into a nomogram to construct a powerful risk prediction model. METHODS: The study included 145 cSCC patients treated with Mohs micrographic surgery. Clinical factors were reviewed, and immunohistochemistry was performed using tumor tissue samples. A nomogram was constructed by combining meaningful clinical factors and protein markers. RESULTS: Among the various factors, four clinical factors (tumor size, organ transplantation history, poor differentiation, and invasion into subcutaneous fat) and two biomarkers (Axin2 and p53) were selected and combined into a nomogram. The concordance index (C-index) of the nomogram for predicting recurrence was 0.809, which was higher than that for the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 7th, AJCC 8th, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Breuninger staging systems in the patient data set. CONCLUSION: A nomogram model that included both clinical factors and biomarkers was much more powerful than previous systems for predicting cSCC recurrence.

Therapeutic efficacy and safety of a 1927-nm fractionated thulium laser on pattern hair loss: an evaluator-blinded, split-scalp study.

Laser- or light-assisted therapies have been used to improve the perifollicular environment by upregulating the expression of growth factors and signaling molecules for hair restoration. The aim of our study was to preclinically and clinically evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of a 1927-nm fractionated thulium laser on pattern hair loss (PHL). An in vivo hairless mouse study and an in vivo human skin environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) study were performed with different power and energy settings. Thereafter, an evaluator-blinded, split-scalp study was conducted to evaluate hair thickness and density in 10 PHL patients treated with 12 sessions of fractionated thulium laser treatment with or without post-laser treatment application of a growth factor-containing (GF) solution. In in vivo hairless mouse skin, inverted cone-shaped zones of thulium laser-induced tissue coagulation (LITC) were noted immediately after treatment in the epidermis and upper to mid-dermis without remarkable ablative tissue injury. The ESEM study revealed round to oval-shaped zones of non-ablative LITC on the surface of the stratum corneum of a human subject immediately after laser irradiation. In PHL patients, 12 sessions of thulium laser monotherapy at 1-week intervals resulted in significantly increased hair density and thickness. Post-laser treatment application of GF solution offered additional therapeutic efficacy by improving hair density and thickness on the split scalp. The use of a fractionated thulium laser with or without post-laser therapy application of GF solution to treat PHL elicited remarkable improvements in hair thickness and hair counts.

Investigation on the Cutaneous Change Induced by Face-Lifting Monodirectional Barbed Polydioxanone Thread.

BACKGROUND: Owing to its potentially greater mechanical force on the implanted tissue, barbed thread is frequently used in face-lifting procedures. However, the long-term durability thereof remains controversial. Moreover, reports on underlying histologic and molecular changes resulting from face-lifting procedures are scarce. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate histologic and molecular changes induced by absorbable, barbed face-lifting thread in an animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fragments of monofilament, monodirectionally barbed polydioxanone thread were implanted in dorsal skin from 12 guinea pigs. Tissue samples were harvested at 1, 3, and 7 months thereafter. Histopathologic analysis and quantification of Type 1 collagen and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-ß1) levels were performed. RESULTS: Implantation of a single fragment induced fibrous capsule around the thread. Tissue reactions were strongest at 1 month after implantation, showing marked infiltration of inflammatory cells and fibroblasts, which gradually decreased. On molecular analysis, Type 1 collagen and TGF-ß1 levels were significantly increased, compared to normal skin, throughout the 7-month study period. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that implantation of barbed thread induces strong anchorage to skin tissue. Quantitative analysis of collagen and its downstream signaling molecule TGF-ß supports the long-term durability of the thread. Therefore, the authors expect potential beneficial effect for rejuvenation on its clinical application.

Pressure- and dose-controlled transcutaneous pneumatic injection of hypertonic glucose solution for the treatment of atrophic skin disorders.

BACKGROUND: Needleless transcutaneous pneumatic injections (TPIs) are a minimally invasive way to deliver the solution into the skin for therapeutic purposes. The suggested action mechanisms of TPI therapy include mechanical stimulation, immediate tissue shrinkage and late wound healing. METHODS: Thirteen Korean patients were treated with TPI for atrophic skin disorders, including acne scars, striae albae, post-furuncle, or carbuncle scars, and horizontal wrinkles with lipoatrophy. At each TPI treatment session, a single pass was made along with the atrophic skin lesions without overlapping. Thereafter, two dermatologists objectively evaluated the clinical improvement in the lesions in the photographs via the global aesthetic improvement scale (GAIS). RESULTS: One month after the final treatment, the overall mean GAIS score was 2.3 ± 0.8. Six of the 13 (46.2%) patients exhibited clinical improvement of grade 3, five (38.5%) patients grade 2 and two (15.4%) patients grade 1. The overall mean subjective satisfaction score with the TPI treatment was 2.3 ± 0.9. Six of the 13 (46.2%) patients achieved subjective satisfaction of grade 3, six (46.2%) patients grade 2 and one (7.7%) patient grade 0. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that the TPI treatment is effective and safe for treating atrophic skin disorders of varying causes in Korean patients.

Therapeutic efficacy of autologous platelet-rich plasma and polydeoxyribonucleotide on female pattern hair loss.

Autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) exerts positive therapeutic effects on hair thickness and density in patients with pattern hair loss. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of intra-perifollicular autologous PRP and polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) injections in treating female pattern hair loss (FPHL). Twenty FPHL patients were treated with a single session of PRP injection, followed by 12 sessions of PDRN intra-perifollicular injection, along the scalp at weekly intervals. Additionally, another 20 FPHL patients were treated with 12 sessions of PDRN injection only. Meanwhile, one half of the backs of two rabbits was injected with the PRP preparation, while the other half was injected with phosphate buffered saline as a control. Tissue samples from the rabbits were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. Compared with baseline values, patients treated with PRP and PDRN injections exhibited clinical improvement in mean hair counts (23.2 ± 15.5%; p < 0.001) and mean hair thickness (16.8 ± 10.8%; p < 0.001). In addition, patients treated with the 12 sessions of intra-perifollicular PDRN injection alone also showed clinical improvement in mean hair counts (17.9 ± 13.2%; p < 0.001) and mean hair thickness (13.5 ± 10.7%; p < 0.001). Comparison analyses between the two groups revealed that combined therapy with PRP and PDRN induces greater improvement in hair thickness than treatment with PDRN therapy alone (p = 0.031), but not in hair counts (p > 0.05). The pilot animal study revealed significant up-regulation of WNT, platelet-derived growth factor, and fibroblast growth factor expression in rabbit skin treated with the PRP preparation, compared with control skin. In conclusion, intra-perifollicular injections of autologous PRP and/or PDRN generate improvements in hair thickness and density in FPHL patients.

Serum reactivity against herpes simplex virus type 1 UL48 protein in Behçet's disease patients and a Behçet's disease-like mouse model.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is a possible pathogenic factor in Behçet's disease (BD). Using proteomics analysis, this study detected a target HSV protein. Serum IgA and IgG reactivities against the identified protein were evaluated in patients with BD and in BD-like mice. A total of 4 protein bands generated by immunoprecipitation were analysed by proteomics, and HSV UL48 was commonly found in both IgA- and IgG-reactive protein bands. Compared with controls, patients with BD and BD-like mice exhibited higher titres of IgA reacting with recombinant HSV UL48 protein. Further proteomics analysis revealed that human heat shock cognate 71 kDa protein (Hsc71) is a cross-reacting target antigen against anti-HSV UL48 antibody. In addition, our data demonstrated a very strong association between serum IgG reactivity against recombinant human Hsc71 and recombinant HSV UL48 in patients with BD. We suggest that HSV infection and impaired human Hsc71 activity may be associated with the activation of autoreactive lymphocytes.

RUNX3 expression is associated with sensitivity to pheophorbide a-based photodynamic therapy in keloids.

Runt-related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3) has recently been reported to be a possible predictor of sensitivity of cancer cells for photodynamic therapy (PDT), a promising therapeutic modality for keloids. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the implications of RUNX3 for keloid pathogenesis and sensitivity to pheophorbide a-based PDT (Pa-PDT). RUNX3 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression were examined in 6 normal skin samples and 32 keloid tissue samples by immunohistochemistry. We found that RUNX3 expression was detected more often in keloid tissues than in dermis of normal skin. In keloid tissues, RUNX3 expression was significantly increased in patients presenting with symptoms of pain or pruritus, and was also significantly related to PCNA expression. The therapeutic effect of Pa-PDT was comparatively investigated in keloid fibroblasts (KFs) with and without RUNX3 expression. Significant differences were found after Pa-PDT between KFs with and without RUNX3 expression in cell viability, proliferative ability, type I collagen expression, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and apoptotic cell death. In addition, RUNX3 expression was significantly decreased after Pa-PDT in KFs, and KFs with downregulation of RUNX3 showed significantly increased cell viability after Pa-PDT. Pa-PDT may be a potential therapeutic modality for keloids, and RUNX3, as a possible contributor to keloid pathogenesis, may improve sensitivity to Pa-PDT in KFs.

Coagulation and ablation patterns of high-intensity focused ultrasound on a tissue-mimicking phantom and cadaveric skin.

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) can be applied noninvasively to create focused zones of tissue coagulation on various skin layers. We performed a comparative study of HIFU, evaluating patterns of focused tissue coagulation and ablation upon application thereof. A tissue-mimicking (TM) phantom was prepared with bovine serum albumin and polyacrylamide hydrogel to evaluate the geometric patterns of HIFU-induced thermal injury zones (TIZs) for five different HIFU devices. Additionally, for each device, we investigated histologic patterns of HIFU-induced coagulation and ablation in serial sections of cadaveric skin of the face and neck. All HIFU devices generated remarkable TIZs in the TM phantom, with different geometric values of coagulation for each device. Most of the TIZs seemed to be separated into two or more tiny parts. In cadaveric skin, characteristic patterns of HIFU-induced ablation and coagulation were noted along the mid to lower dermis at the focal penetration depth of 3 mm and along subcutaneous fat to the superficial musculoaponeurotic system or the platysma muscle of the neck at 4.5 mm. Additionally, remarkable pre-focal areas of tissue coagulation were observed in the upper and mid dermis at the focal penetration depth of 3 mm and mid to lower dermis at 4.5 mm. For five HIFU devices, we outlined various patterns of HIFU-induced TIZ formation along pre-focal, focal, and post-focal areas of TM phantom and cadaveric skin of the face and neck.

Apoptotic effect of pheophorbide a-mediated photodynamic therapy on DMBA/TPA-induced mouse papillomas.

Pheophorbide a (Pa) is a chlorine-based photosensitizer, and Pa-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) reportedly exhibits antitumor activity against various malignancies. The aim of our study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of Pa-mediated PDT on 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)/12-O-tetradecanoylphorobol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced mouse papillomas. Thirty mice received a topical application of DMBA/TPA on their backs to induce mouse papillomas. One week after two sessions of Pa-mediated PDT, immunohistochemical stains and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay were performed to evaluate the apoptotic effects thereof on the papillomas. Among 63 mouse papillomas treated with Pa-mediated PDT, 17.5% of the lesions were completely removed 1 week after the first treatment, while 31.7% disappeared 1 week after the second treatment. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences in therapeutic outcomes for the Pa-mediated PDT group in comparison to a solvent-PDT group and a Pa group. Additionally, a marked downregulation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression, as well as upregulation of cleaved caspase 3 and cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase expression, was noted in the Pa-PDT group, compared to the solvent-PDT group and Pa group. TUNEL assay revealed higher apoptotic cell counts in the Pa-PDT group, although the difference was not statistically significant. Our data demonstrated that Pa-mediated PDT is effective in treating DMBA/TPA-induced mouse papillomas.

Up-regulation of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 9 expression and FGF-WNT/ß-catenin signaling in laser-induced wound healing.

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 9 is secreted by both mesothelial and epithelial cells, and plays important roles in organ development and wound healing via WNT/ß-catenin signaling. The aim of this study was to evaluate FGF9 expression and FGF-WNT/ß-catenin signaling during wound healing of the skin. We investigated FGF9 expression and FGF-WNT/ß-catenin signaling after laser ablation of mouse skin and adult human skin, as well as in cultured normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) upon stimulation with recombinant human (rh) FGF9 and rh-transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1. Our results showed that laser ablation of both mouse skin and human skin leads to marked overexpression of FGF9 and FGF9 mRNA. Control NHEKs constitutively expressed FGF9, WNT7b, WNT2, and ß-catenin, but did not show Snail or FGF receptor (FGFR) 2 expression. We also found that FGFR2 was significantly induced in NHEKs by rhFGF9 stimulation, and observed that FGFR2 expression was slightly up-regulated on particular days during the wound healing process after ablative laser therapy. Both WNT7b and WNT2 showed up-regulated protein expression during the laser-induced wound healing process in mouse skin; moreover, we discerned that the stimulatory effect of rhFGF9 and rhTGF-ß1 activates WNT/ß-catenin signaling via WNT7b in cultured NHEKs. Our data indicated that rhFGF9 and/or rhTGF-ß1 up-regulate FGFR2, WNT7b, and ß-catenin, but not FGF9 and Snail; pretreatment with rh dickkopf-1 significantly inhibited the up-regulation of FGFR2, WNT7b, and ß-catenin. Our results suggested that FGF9 and FGF-WNT/ß-catenin signaling may play important roles in ablative laser-induced wound healing processes.

Dermoscopic findings in radiation-induced alopecia after angioembolization.

BACKGROUND: Cases of non-scarring alopecia after endovascular brain surgery have been reported, but dermoscopic findings of these lesions have rarely been published. OBJECTIVE: To report the dermoscopic findings for alopecic skin lesions that developed after radiation exposure during angioembolization. METHODS: Dermoscopic examination was used to evaluate alopecic skin lesions in 10 patients who presented with post-angioembolization alopecia. RESULTS: The male to female ratio was 1:4, mean age 55.0 ± 12.3 years and mean duration to lesion development 3.4 ± 2.5 weeks. The rectangular-shaped lesions mostly occurred at the occiput and temple areas. Both yellow and black dots were the predominant dermoscopic findings in 60% (6/10) of patients, followed by short vellus hair (50%), peripilar sign (20%), broken hair (10%), coiled hair (10%) and white dots (10%). CONCLUSIONS: Alopecic skin lesions induced by radiation exposure during angioembolization share characteristic dermoscopy findings with alopecia areata. They may be misdiagnosed if a precise history is not obtained.

Histometric analysis of skin-radiofrequency interaction using a fractionated microneedle delivery system.

BACKGROUND: Fractionated microneedle radiofrequency (RF) devices have been reported to be effective in treatment of various dermatologic disorders. OBJECTIVES: To analyze histometric changes in skin-RF interactions using a fractionated microneedle delivery system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: RF energies were delivered using a fractionated microneedle device to an in vivo minipig model with penetration depths of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.5 mm; RF conduction times of 20, 50, 100, and 1,000 ms; and energy levels of 5.0, 10.0, 20.0, 25.0, 37.5, and 50.0 V. RESULTS: Immediately after treatment, skin samples showed that the RF-induced coagulated columns in the dermis formed a cocoon-shaped zone of sublative thermal injury. Four days after the treatment, skin specimens demonstrated reepithelialization, and the dermal RF-induced coagulated columns showed mixed cellular infiltration, neovascularization, and granulation tissue formation. Microneedle depth and RF conduction times, but not energy level, significantly affected histometric values of RF-induced dermal coagulation. Microneedle RF treatment affected adnexal structures by coagulating follicular epithelium and perifollicular structures. CONCLUSIONS: Our data may be of use as an essential reference for choosing RF parameters in treatment of various skin conditions.

Implication of Amyloid Precursor-like Protein 2 Expression in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Pathogenesis.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Regulatory functions of amyloid precursor-like protein 2 (APLP2) expression in intracellular trafficking of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) and biological behavior of tumor cells have been reported in various types of malignancies but not in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC). This study aimed to investigate the role of APLP2 expression in the pathogenesis of CSCC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The expression of APLP2 and a key modulator of cancer immune escape, MHC-I, were determined in CSCC tissue samples obtained from 141 patients using immunohistochemistry. The regulatory effects of APLP2 expression on the biological behavior and surface expression of MHC-I in CSCC cells were investigated by trypan blue assay, Matrigel invasion assay, and in vivo xenograft analysis. RESULTS: APLP2 immunoreactivity was high in 73 (51.8%) tissue samples from patients with CSCC and was significantly related to subcutaneous fat invasion and poor prognosis in our cohort. Moreover, proliferation of and invasion by CSCC cells were significantly reduced after APLP2 knockdown in CSCC cells both in vitro and in vivo. A significant association was found between APLP2 and membrane MHC-I expression in patients with CSCC. In vivo xenograft analysis showed that APLP2 knockdown increased membrane MHC-I expression in CSCC cells. CONCLUSION: APLP2 not only acts as an oncogene in CSCC progression but also as a possible modulator of cancer immune escape by influencing MHC-I expression on the cell surface. APLP2 may serve as a novel molecular biomarker and therapeutic target for patients with CSCC.

Detection of the inflammatory process in a Behçet's disease-like mouse model using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography.

OBJECTIVES: The major role of herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 infection in Behçet's disease (BD) immunopathogenesis has been demonstrated and inoculating the earlobes of ICR mice with HSV produced a BD-like mouse model. (18)Ffluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) is widely used for diagnosing numerous human diseases other than malignancies. The aim of our study was to evaluate the inflammatory activities of BD-like symptoms in a HSV type 1-induced BD-like mouse model by small-animal FDG PET. METHODS: Five HSV-infected ICR mice with BD-like lesions, two asymptomatic HSV-infected mice, and two untreated mice were scanned with microPET, and autopsy specimens were histopathologically assessed to evaluate for infiltration by mixed inflammatory cells. RESULTS: The histopathological evaluation of the inflammatory process in knee and elbow joints significantly correlated with the quantitative assessment of FDG accumulation in the same joints in BD-like ICR mice, HSV-infected asymptomatic mice, and untreated control mice. Small-animal FDG PET clearly detected asymptomatic joint inflammatory processes in both BD-like mice and HSV-infected asymptomatic mice. In addition, genital ulcers and skin ulcers with associated perilesional lymphadenopathies in BD-like models were detected by microPET. However, biodistributed PET-positive images from the stasis of secreted FDG into the bowel lumen could not be distinguished from the inflammatory bowel lesions of BD when compared to FDG uptake in control mice. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that FDG PET can non-invasively and quantitatively detect the inflammatory process in an HSV-induced BD-like mouse model.

Decreased tissue and serum expression of galectin-7 in patients with hypertrophic scars.

Hypertrophic scars (HS) result from an imbalance between collagen biosynthesis and matrix degradation during wound healing. In this study a proteomics approach was used to compare the protein profiles of skin tissue obtained from patients with HS and healthy controls. One of the epidermal proteins, galectin-7 was markedly down-regulated in HS. Serum levels of galectin-7 in 27 patients with HS were less than 1/3 of those in 15 healthy controls. Tissue protein expression was subsequently evaluated using immunohistochemical staining on HS tissue and on serially-obtained control tissue during wound healing. Weaker galectin-7 immunoreactivity was detected along the cytoplasmic membrane of basal and suprabasal cells in samples from HS. In addition, galectin-7 was stained in the extracellular space of the upper papillary dermis in HS tissue. Ablative laser treatment, used to induce wound healing of healthy control tissue, demonstrated marked galectin-7 expression at the cytoplasmic membrane on days 3, 5, 14 and 21. Pronounced galectin-7 staining at the upper papillary dermis was detected on days 1, 3 and 10. These results suggest that the differences in galectin-7 expression and subcellular and extracellular distribution may be crucially involved in the pathogenic process of HS.

Early postoperative treatment of surgical scars using a fractional carbon dioxide laser: a split-scar, evaluator-blinded study.

BACKGROUND: Although focus has recently been directed toward the early treatment of surgical scars, the optimal time at which to initiate treatment with fractional laser and its effect on scar remodeling remains controversial. OBJECTIVES: To assess the safety and efficacy of treating surgical scars using an ablative carbon dioxide (CO2 ) fractional laser during the early postoperative period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a prospective, split-scar, evaluator-blinded study on 16 postoperative scars of 15 patients. Patients began treatment 3 weeks after surgery and were treated in two sessions of CO2 fractional laser therapy on half of the scar at 2-week intervals. All patients were followed for 3 months after the final treatment session. RESULTS: Three months after the last treatment, a greater decrease in Vancouver Scar Scale score was noted in the treated half of the scars, especially in terms of texture and thickness. Patients also expressed a significantly greater degree of satisfaction with the treated side as assessed using a subjective 4-point scale. Only one patient experienced any adverse effect, which was the development of hypertrophy, on the treated and untreated side of the scar. CONCLUSION: CO2 fractional laser is an effective treatment modality for surgical scars in the early postoperative period.

Clinical effects of non-ablative and ablative fractional lasers on various hair disorders: a case series of 17 patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Both ablative and non-ablative fractional lasers have been applied to various uncommon hair disorders. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the clinical effects of fractional laser therapy on the course of primary follicular and perifollicular pathologies and subsequent hair regrowth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of 17 patients with uncommon hair disorders - including ophiasis, autosomal recessive woolly hair/hypotrichosis, various secondary cicatricial alopecias, pubic hypotrichosis, frontal fibrosing alopecia, and perifolliculitis abscedens et suffodiens - was conducted. All patients had been treated with non-ablative and/or ablative fractional laser therapies. RESULTS: The mean clinical improvement score in these 17 patients was 2.2, while the mean patient satisfaction score was 2.5. Of the 17 subjects, 12 (70.6%) demonstrated a clinical response to non-ablative and/or ablative fractional laser treatments, including individuals with ophiasis, autosomal recessive woolly hair/hypotrichosis, secondary cicatricial alopecia (scleroderma and pressure-induced alopecia), frontal fibrosing alopecia, and perifolliculitis abscedens et suffodiens. Conversely, patients with long-standing ophiasis, surgical scar-induced secondary cicatricial alopecia, and pubic hypotrichosis did not respond to fractional laser therapy. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate that the use of non-ablative and/or ablative fractional lasers promoted hair growth in certain cases of uncommon hair disorders without any remarkable side effects.

Combination of 595-nm pulsed dye laser, long-pulsed 755-nm alexandrite laser, and microdermabrasion treatment for keratosis pilaris: retrospective analysis of 26 Korean patients.

Keratosis pilaris (KP) has beenpresented as small keratotic follicular papules with or without surrounding erythema. Various treatments with laser or light therapy have been used for the management of KP with various clinical outcomes. In the present study, we investigated the efficacy and safety of a combination therapy for KP. A total of 29 anatomical sites with KP in 26 patients were treated using a 595-nm pulsed dye laser (PDL) with nonpurpuragenic fluences, a long-pulsed 755-nm alexandrite laser, and microdermabrasion. Clinical improvement was assessed by comparing preand posttreatment clinical photographs and patient satisfaction rates. Evaluation of the clinical results three months after the treatments showed that 12 of the 29 anatomical sites (41.4%) demonstrated Grade 3 clinical improvement, ten (34.5%) had Grade 2 clinical improvement, four (13.8%) showed Grade 1 improvement, and three (10.3%) showed Grade 4 improvement. We observed that KP lesions improved not only in erythema and skin texture, but also in brownish dyschromias. Potential adverse events were not observed, except prolonged posttherapy scaling. Our observations demonstrate that combination therapy using a 595-nm PDL, a long-pulsed 755-nm alexandrite laser, and microdermabrasion can have a positive therapeutic effect on KP.

Implication of TIPE2 Expression on the Malignant Transformation of Oral Leukoplakia.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Identification of biomarkers involved in the malignant transformation of oral leukoplakia (OL) is required for the early diagnosis and management of patients with OL. This study aimed to evaluate the functions of tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced protein 8-like 2 (TIPE2) expression in the malignant transformation of OL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression levels of TIPE2 and dormant cell markers phospho-ERK and phospho-p38 in a cohort containing 103 surgical specimens from patients with OL were evaluated using immunohistochemistry. The influence of TIPE2 expression on the biological behavior of the immortalized human oral keratinocyte (IHOK) line was investigated in vitro. RESULTS: Increased TIPE2 expression was detected in 40 (38.8%) patients with OL. In a multivariate analysis using clinicopathological variables and TIPE2 expression as cofactors, the presence of dysplasia (p=0.003) and TIPE2 abundance (p=0.019) were identified as independent risk factors for the malignant transformation of OL. Moreover, the in vitro analysis revealed that TIPE2 knockdown can promote the proliferating ability of IHOK; however, the number of apoptotic cells also increased after TIPE2 knockdown in IHOK. Furthermore, TIPE2 expression was significantly associated with phospho-p38 expression, a dormant cell marker, in our cohort (p=0.047). CONCLUSION: TIPE2 expression may contribute to the malignant transformation of OL, and its function may be related to cellular dormancy in OL pathogenesis.