Are Vitamin Beverages Good for Dental Health? / 치위생과학회지

Background@#Although the consumption of vitamin beverages has increased because of the recent interest in health and beauty, guidelines addressing appropriate consumption habits are lacking. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the erosive potential of several vitamin beverages and to propose guidelines for the appropriate intake of these drinks. @*Methods@#Five vitamin beverages were selected after a pre-investigation of the current beverage market. Coca-Cola and mineral water were selected as the control beverages. The pH of the beverages was measured with a calibrated pH meter, and the titratable acidity (TA) was determined by using 1 M sodium hydroxide to reach pH 5.5 (TA5.5) and 7.0 (TA7.0). The screening method suggested by the International Organization for Standardization was used to measure pH variation (pH) by using an under-saturated hydroxyapatite solution to determine the difference between the initial and final pH of the screening solution. All measurements were performed in triplicate. @*Results@#All vitamin beverages tested in this study exhibited a low pH (2.53∼2.99), similar to Coca-Cola, which is known to be a highly acidic beverage. The highest TA5.5 and TA7.0 values of the vitamin beverages were 7.03 ml and 8.81 ml, respectively. The largest change in pH determined by using the screening solution was found in Bacchus D (pH 1.44±0.05). The mean pH of the vitamin beverages was 1.12±0.29, which was higher than that of Coca-Cola (positive control, pH 0.58±0.05). @*Conclusion@#Vitamin beverages exhibited an erosive potential capable of damaging enamel surfaces. Therefore, the frequency of vitamin beverage intake should be limited, and individuals consuming these drinks should try to restore normal oral pH as quickly as possible.

Erosive Pustular Dermatosis of the Scalp Following Herpes Zoster: Successful Treatment with Topical Tacrolimus

Erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp (EPDS) is a rare disorder of the elderly characterized by multiple pustular lesions with erosions and crusting that result in scarring alopecia. EPDS typically develops in aged or sun-damaged skin with a history of trauma. Histopathologically, EPDS is nonspecific, showing atrophic epidermis and chronic inflammation. Bacteriological and mycological investigations of EPDS are generally negative. Although herpes zoster is a common disorder in elderly people, previously reported cases of EPDS were rarely associated with herpes zoster. We present a rare case of EPDS following herpes zoster treated successfully with topical tacrolimus.

The Correlation of the Expression of Foxn1 and the Pigmentation in Various Pigmentary Disorders / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Transfer of melanosomes from melanocytes to the neighboring keratinocytes is a critical step in normal pigmentation. However, the mechanism of melanosome transfer and the regulation of pigmentation by the keratinocyte-melanocyte interactions are not well understood. It has recently been identified that keratinocytes use Foxn1 (transcription factor) to recruit melanocytes and induce their own pigmentation. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the expression of Foxn1 in hypopigmentary disorders (vitiligo, pityriasis alba (P. alba) and postinflammatory hypopigmentation (PIHo)) and hyperpigmentary disorders (melasma, caf?-au-lait macule (CALM) and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIHer)). METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining was performed on the formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections of hypopigmentary and hyperpigmentary disorders using anti-Foxn1 antibody with an avidin-biotin peroxidase complex procedure. The intraepidermal melanin pigments were examined in all the lesions by Fontana-Masson staining. RESULTS: We found a significantly lower Foxn1 expression (p<0.05) and less intraepidermal melanin pigments (p< 0.01) in the hypopigmentary disorders as compared to that of the hyperpigmentary disorders. In the hypopigmentary disorders such as vitiligo, P. alba and PIHo, the expression of Foxn1 was decreased in the order named. In thehyperpigmentary disorders such as CALM, PIHer and melasma, the expression of Foxn1 was increased in the order named. CONCLUSION: The intraepidermal Foxn1 expression and melanin pigments in PIHer, PIHo and melasma showed a positive correlation, but there was no statistically significant. Our findings suggest that the expression of Foxn1 might be associated with the pathogenesis of three pigment disorders (PIHo, PIHer, melasma). We consider that inflammatory mediators might interact with the intraepidermal Foxn1 expression in PIHo, PIHer and melasma, resulting in an abnormality of the mechanism of melanosome transfer. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the role of the Foxn1 expression in the pathogenesis of pigment disorders.

Successful Treatment of Recalcitrant Primary Follicular Mucinosis with Indomethacin and Low-dose Intralesional Interferon Alpha

Follicular mucinosis (FM) is an epithelial reaction pattern that is characterized by the accumulation of mucinous material in the epithelial hair follicle sheath and the sebaceous glands. Although various pharmacological agents have been employed in an attempt to treat FM, effective therapeutic options have remained elusive. We experienced a recalcitrant form of primary FM that we successfully treated with indomethacin and low-dose intralesional interferon alpha (IFN alpha), respectively. To the best of our knowledge, the primary type of FM that responded to indomethacin and low-dose IFN alpha, respectively, in a single case has not been reported in the English medical literature.

A Case of Rowell's Syndrome / 대한피부과학회지

Rowell's syndrome is a rare and distinct clinical entity that has been described as lupus erythematosus associated with erythema multiforme-like lesions with the immunological findings of speckled antinuclear antibodies and positive tests for anti-Ro/La antibodies and rheumatoid factor. We report here on a case of discoidlupus erythematosus in a 39-year-old woman with targetoid eruptions on both palms, the lower legs and soles and she also showed abnormal immunoserologic findings. Most of these features were consistent with Rowell's syndrome.

A Case of Neonatal Lupus Erythematosus Showing Transient Anemia and Hepatitis

Neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) is an autoimmune disease that is associated with transplacental passage of maternal autoantibodies that are reactive to SSA/Ro and SSB/La antigens. Cardiac involvement, hematologic abnormality and hepatic disease may occur in the infants suffering with NLE, in addition to the characteristic skin lesions. We report here on a case of NLE in a 4-week-old female infant who was born to an asymptomatic mother, and the baby displayed the characteristic clinical and histological features of cutaneous NLE with transient anemia and hepatitis. Both the infant and mother were positive for anti-SSA/Ro and anti-SSB/La. There have been 18 case reports of NLE in the Korean literature, including 7 case reports in the dermatological field. We describe herein another case of NLE that showed transient anemia and hepatitis, and we also review the case reports of NLE in the Korean literature.

A Case of Palisaded Neutrophilic and Granulomatous Dermatitis on the Buttock / 대한피부과학회지

Palisaded neutrophilic and granulomatous dermatitis (PNGD) is an uncommon condition that has been reported under several different names in association with various disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. We report a 60-year-old man with rheumatoid arthritis who presented with two, erythematous, asymptomatic nodules on the buttock. The histologic examination showed that degenerated collagen, neutrophilic dust, neutrophils, fibrin, and mucin were present in the centers of the palisades of histiocytes throughout the dermis. After initiation of intralesional steroid injections, the lesions improved. The lesions recurred 2 months later, but, as before, improved after treatment with intralesional steroid injections.

A Case of Targetoid Hemosiderotic Hemangioma / 대한피부과학회지

Targetoid hemosiderotic hemangioma (THH) is a solitary vascular tumor typically occurring in young or middle-aged persons, and affecting the limbs or trunk. Characteristically, the lesion has a "targetoid" appearance where a violaceous papule is surrounded by an ecchymotic or brown ring that can expand or subsequently disappear with the persistence of the central papule. THH is characterized histologically by dilated vascular structures in the superficial dermis lined by prominent hobnail endothelial cells and collagen-dissecting, rather narrow neoplastic vessels in the deeper parts of the lesion. We report a 17-year-old girl who presented showing typical clinical and histological features of targetoid hemosiderotic hemangioma.

A Case of Generalized Granuloma Annulare Following BCG Vaccination / 대한피부과학회지

Generalized granuloma annulare is defined as affecting at least the trunk and either the upper or lower extremities, or both. It is represented by disseminated necrobiotic dermal papules forming annular or nonannular configuration. Clinical associations between generalized granuloma annulare and diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease, malignancy, infection, and vaccination have been reported. BCG vaccination induces specific and nonspecific dermatologic complications such as scrofuloderma-like, lupus vulgaris-like, tuberculid, urticaria, erythema multiforme, erythema nodosum, and granuloma annulare. Generalized granuloma annulare associated with BCG vaccination or tuberculin test has not been reported in the Korean literature. Herein, we report a case of generalized granuloma annulare which occurred in a 6-month-old boy following BCGitis on the BCG vaccination site.