The Efficacy and Underlying Mechanism of Moxibustion in Preventing Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review of Animal Studies

Cognitive impairment is age-related and manageable only with early diagnosis and prevention. Moxibustion is widely accepted in East Asia as useful for preventing cognitive impairment. This systematic review of animal studies was conducted to verify the efficacy of moxibustion in preventing cognitive impairment and to elucidate the underlying mechanism. Randomized controlled animal trials that established the efficacy of moxibustion in preventing cognitive impairment were included in the analysis. Results of behavioral tests and the signaling pathways elucidated were extracted and a meta-analysis was conducted with the behavioral test results. The risk of bias was evaluated using 9 items, and reporting quality was evaluated using the ARRIVE (Animal Research: Reporting In Vivo Experiments) Guidelines Checklist. Ten trials involving 410 animals met the inclusion criteria. All studies reported the benefit of moxibustion in preventing cognitive deficits caused by Alzheimer's disease (AD). Among five studies using the Morris water maze test, a significant effect of moxibustion in decreasing the escape time was reported in three studies, increasing the crossing times in four studies, and prolonging the dwelling time in two studies. The effects of moxibustion were demonstrated to be mediated by an increase in the activity of neurotrophins and heat shock protein, modulation of the cell cycle, and suppression of apoptosis and inflammation. However, considering the small number of included studies, the lack of studies investigating entire signaling pathways, and a high risk of bias and low reporting quality, our results need to be confirmed through more detailed studies.

Morgellons Disease

Morgellons disease is a rare disease with unknown etiology. Herein, we report the first case of Morgellons disease in Korea. A 30-year-old woman presented with a 2-month history of pruritic erythematous patches and erosions on the arms, hands, and chin. She insisted that she had fiber-like materials under her skin, which she had observed through a magnifying device. We performed skin biopsy, and observed a fiber extruding from the dermal side of the specimen. Histopathological examination showed only mild lymphocytic infiltration, and failed to reveal evidence of any microorganism. The polymerase chain reaction for Borrelia burgdorferi was negative in her serum.

Clinical Manifestations of Longitudinal Melanonychia in Childhood / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Longitudinal melanonychia is characterized by pigmented bands on the nail plate. It is not unusual to encounter pediatric melanonychia patients in the dermatologic clinic. OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical manifestations of melanonychia in childhood in Korea, we reviewed the pediatric patient registry of a tertiary referral hospital in Korea. METHODS: Patients under fifteen years of age with longitudinal melanonychia referred between January, 2001, and March, 2015, were enrolled in the study. All patients had clinical as well as photo records. Clinical characteristics including age, sex, location, disease duration, width and color of pigmentation, morphological change over time, underlying disease, and dermoscopic images or biopsy findings were evaluated where available. RESULTS: A total of 92 patients had 158 pigmented nails, with more than one melanonychia identified in 14 patients. The patient sample included 43 male and 49 female patients with an average age of 6.1 years at diagnosis. A follow-up examination was performed for 132 nails in 80 patients with a mean period of 27.8 months and morphological changes were identified in 61 nails. Changes included remission or aggravation of pigmentation. In 48% and 17% of patients, nail plate dystrophy and Hutchinson's sign were observed, respectively. Dermoscopic image analysis was available for 79 nails. A nail biopsy was performed for 8 nails and none showed evidence of malignant melanoma. CONCLUSION: Pediatric longitudinal melanonychia generally presents a benign nature despite overt morphological changes, diffuse pigmentation, or Hutchinson's sign. Characteristically, melanonychia in childhood is frequently accompanied by nail dystrophy. Based on clinical reference of our study, aggressive nail biopsy may not be routinely necessary in pediatric melanonychia.

Two Cases of Bortezomib-induced Drug Eruption Presenting as Multiple Plaques on the Trunk / 대한피부과학회지

Bortezomib (Velcade(R)) is proteasome inhibitor that is used as a first-line therapy for multiple myeloma. It can cause gastrointestinal, hematologic, and neuromuscular side effects, and a cutaneous reaction is one of its common adverse reactions. To date, several bortezomib-induced cutaneous adverse reactions have been reported, including folliculitis-like rash, pruriginous rash, purpuric rash, mouth swelling, stomatitis-mucositis, edema in the lower limbs, telogen effluvium, and vasculitis. In the Korean literature, only one case of vasculitis has been reported earlier. Two patients have presented with multiple plaques on the trunk at our clinic. The lesions developed several days after bortezomib chemotherapy, and disappeared spontaneously in about 1 week. Herein, we report bortezomib-induced drug eruption presenting as multiple plaques on the trunk with a review of the relevant literature.

A Case of Congenital Neurofollicular Hamartoma / 대한피부과학회지

No abstract available.

Acquired Reactive Perforating Collagenosis Treated by Doxycycline: A Case Report / 대한피부과학회지

No abstract available.

A Case of Cutaneous Metastatic Melanoma Treated with Topical Diphencyprone (DPCP) / 대한피부과학회지

No abstract available.

Differentiation of Desmoplastic Spitz Nevus from Similar Conditions / 대한피부과학회지

No abstract available.

A Case of Merkel Cell Carcinoma Concurrent with Bowen's Disease / 대한피부과학회지

No abstract available.

A Novel Approach for Full-Thickness Defect of the Nasal Alar Rim: Primary Closure of the Defect and Reduction of the Contralateral Normal Ala for Symmetry

In full-thickness defects of the nasal alar rim, to achieve projection and maintain airway patency, cartilage graft is frequently needed. However, cartilage graft presents a challenge in considerations such as appropriate donor site, skeletal shape and size, and healing of the donor area. To avoid these demerits, we tried primary closure of alar rim defects by also making the contralateral normal ala smaller. We treated two patients who had a full-thickness nasal alar defect after tumor excision. Cartilage graft was considered for the reconstruction. However, their alar rims were overly curved and their nostril openings were large. To utilize their nasal shape, we did primary closure of the defect rather than cartilage graft, and then downsized the contralateral nasal ala by means of wedge resection to make the alae symmetric. Both patients were satisfied with their aesthetic results, which showed a smaller nostril and nearly straight alar rims. Moreover, functionally, there was no discomfort during breathing in both patients. We propose our idea as one of the reconstruction options for nasal alar defects. It is a simple and easy-to-perform procedure, in addition to enhancing the nasal contour. This method would be useful for patients with a large nostril and an overly curved alar rim.

Alternative Method for Creating Fine Hairs with Hair Removal Laser in Hair Transplantation for Hairline Correction

BACKGROUND: Foremost fine hairs in the frontal hairline region are critical in hair transplantation for hairline correction (HTHC) in women. However, there are few studies on a nonsurgical revisionary method for improving an unnatural foremost hairline with thick donor hairs resulting from a previous HTHC. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of using a hair removal laser (HRL) system to create fine hairs in Asian women with thick donor hairs. METHODS: Through a retrospective chart review, the HRL parameters, hair diameter (measured with a micrometer before and after the procedures), subjective results after the procedures, adverse effects, and the number of procedures were investigated. The reduction rate of the hair diameter was calculated. RESULTS: Twenty-four women who received long-pulse Neodymium-Doped:Yttrium Aluminum Garnet therapy after HTHC were included. The parameters were as follows: delivered laser energy, 35~36 J/cm2; pulse duration, 6 ms; and spot size, 10 mm. The mean number of laser sessions was 2.6. The mean hair diameter significantly decreased from 80.0+/-11.5 microm to 58.4+/-13.2 microm (p=0.00). The mean rate of hair diameter reduction was -25.7% (range, -44.6% to 5.7%). The number of laser sessions and the hair diameter after the procedures showed a negative correlation (r=-0.410, p=0.046). Most of the patients (87.5%) reported subjective improvement of their hairlines. Most complications were transient and mild. CONCLUSION: HRL can be an alternative method for creating fine hairs and revising foremost hairline in Asian women with thick donor hairs.

3C8, a new monoclonal antibody directed against a follicular dendritic cell line, HK

BACKGROUND: Follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) play key roles during T cell-dependent humoral immune responses by allowing antigen-specific B cells to survive, proliferate, and differentiate within the FDC networks of secondary follicles, i.e., germinal centers (GC). METHODS: A novel monoclonal antibody, 3C8, was generated by immunizing with an FDC line HK, in order to understand the molecular signals involved in the FDC-B cell interactions in the microenvironment of the GC. RESULTS: The 3C8 antibody did not bind to mononuclear cells, including T cells, B cells, and monocytes. Murine L929 and human skin fibroblasts exhibited no or little reactivity to 3C8. However, 3C8 specifically recognized HK cells by flowcytometry. Furthermore, the antigen recognized by 3C8 was restricted to the GC of the human tonsil. Dendritic networks of the GC were intensely stained by 3C8, but cells out side the GC were not. CONCLUSION: Our result s suggest that the antigen 3C8 may play some unique role on FDCs during the GC reactions.

Studies on the Determining Factors at Each Stage of Germinal Center B Cell Differentiation / 대한면역학회지

To delineate the individual role of follicular dendritic cells (FDC) and T cells at each stage of GC B cell differentiation at the clonal level and to analyze the signals required for the differentiation, we developed an experimental model using an FDC line, HK and a lymphoma cell line, L3055 for centroblasts. Phenotypic analysis of L 3055 revealed its origin of GC and the homogeneity. L3055 cells undergo spontaneous apoptosis when cultured in the absence of HK cells. L3055 cells proliferate continuously in the presence of HK cells, while they differentiate into a population with the phenotype of centrocytes after stimulation with CD40 ligand (CD 40L) plus IL-2, IL-4 and IL-10. L3055 undergo anti-Ig-mediated apoptosis, which is not protected by HK but by CD40L and the cytokines. These experimental results suggest that FDC provide signals for the survival and rapid proliferation of centroblasts and T cells trigger the differentiation of centroblasts into centrocytes.

Delayed recovery of cell-mediated immune response after sublethalirradiation / 대한면역학회지

No abstract available.