Centrifugal lipodystrophy of the scalp manifesting as centrifugal lipodystrophic alopecia

Centrifugal lipodystrophy (CLD), characterized by a depressed lesion in the abdominal skin, is a chronic disease occurring more often among younger patients of East Asian descent. We present an extremely unusual case of CLD of the scalp associated with reversible hair loss. The patient demonstrated alopecia in the frontal, temporal and occipital areas of the scalp, which connected to form a ring-shaped area of hair loss. Curiously, the area of hair loss gradually expanded outwards while the central region showed normal hair regrowth. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated reduced expression of leptin, an adipokine capable of inducing the anagen phase of the hair cycle, in the adipose tissue, associated with active inflammation. By contrast, recovery of leptin expression was observed at sites of healed inflammatory lesions, suggesting that reversible hair loss might be caused by a change in leptin expression in adipose tissue.

Non-biodegradable polymer particles for drug delivery: A new technology for "bio-active" restorative materials

To develop dental restorative materials with "bio-active" functions, addition of the capability to release active agents is an effective approach. However, such functionality needs to be attained without compromising the basic properties of the restorative materials. We have developed novel non-biodegradable polymer particles for drug delivery, aimed for application in dental resins. The particles are made using 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and a cross-linking monomer trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TMPT), with a hydrophilic nature to adsorb proteins or water-soluble antimicrobials. The polyHEMA/TMPT particles work as a reservoir to release fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) or cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) in an effective manner. Application of the polyHEMA/TMPT particles loaded with FGF-2 to adhesives, or those loaded with CPC to resin-based endodontic sealers or denture bases/crowns is a promising approach to increase the success of the treatments by conferring "bio-active" properties to these materials to induce tissue regeneration or to inhibit bacterial infection.

Influence of polymerization properties of 4-META/MMA-based resin on the activity of fibroblast growth factor-2

Dental adhesive resins based on 4-methacryloxyethyl trimellitate anhydride (4-META)/methyl methacrylate (MMA) have been utilized for root-end filling and the bonding of fractured roots. To increase the success rate of these treatments, it would be beneficial to promote the healing of surrounding tissue by applying growth factors. In this study, the influences of the polymerization properties of 4-META/MMA-based resins on the activity of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) were evaluated in vitro. The temperature increase caused by the heat generation during polymerization of the 4-META/MMA-based resin was insufficient to change the structure and function of FGF-2. Unpolymerized monomers released from the cured 4-META/MMA-based resin had no negative influences on the ability of FGF-2 to promote the proliferation of osteoblast-like cells. These findings suggest that it is possible to use FGF-2 in combination with 4-META/MMA-based resins.

[(18) F]-Fluorodeoxy-d-glucose uptake-positive seborrhoeic keratosis on positron emission tomography may result from high expression of glucose transporter

[(18) F]-Fluorodeoxy-d-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) is known to be highly accurate in differentiating benign lesions from malignant lesions. In rare cases, benign tumours, viral infections and sarcoidosis of the skin have been reported to show FDG uptake, but the mechanism remains unclear. Here we report the first documented case of seborrhoeic keratosis (SK) showing increased FDG uptake. FDG PET-CT can be used to detect enhanced glycolysis of tumour cells by measuring increased levels of glucose transporters (GLUTs) indicative of higher glucose uptake. GLUT1 and GLUT3 expression in this case was compared with that in PET-negative SK and two normal skin samples using quantitative polymerase chain reaction with paraffin-embedded tissue. The expression of GLUT1 and GLUT3 was higher in PET-positive SK than in PET-negative SK or normal skin. More specifically, the expression of GLUT3 was observed only in the PET-positive case. This study revealed that high GLUT1 and GLUT3 expression in SK might be associated with the uptake of FDG.

Effect of molecular orientation angle of imidazolium ring on frictional properties of imidazolium-based ionic liquid

Ionic liquids have significant potential as lubricants, and it is known that ionic liquids exhibit characteristic behavior at solid-liquid interfaces. Although it is believed that the structure of ionic liquids at the interface contributes to the tribological properties in the region of boundary-mixed lubrication, this contribution has not been clarified because such analysis is difficult. In this research, we clarify the lubrication mechanism of an imidazolium-based ionic liquid by comparing the results of friction tests with interfacial molecular orientation analysis using sum frequency generation spectroscopy. Consequently, we clarify that the tilt angle of the imidazolium ring affects the friction coefficient of the ionic liquid; that is, the larger tilt angle, the lower the friction coefficient.

Bimatoprost for eyelash growth in Japanese subjects: two multicenter controlled studies

BACKGROUND

Bimatoprost 0.03% has enhanced eyelash prominence in clinical trials enrolling mostly Caucasian subjects. The studies described in this report evaluated the efficacy and safety of bimatoprost in Japanese subjects with idiopathic and chemotherapy-induced eyelash hypotrichosis.

METHODS

In two multicenter, double-masked, randomized, parallel-group studies (study 1: n=173 [idiopathic]; study 2: n=36 [chemotherapy-induced]), subjects received bimatoprost 0.03% or vehicle applied once daily to the upper eyelid margins. The primary efficacy measure was eyelash prominence measured by Global Eyelash Assessment (GEA) scores. Additional measures were eyelash length, thickness, and darkness, assessed by digital image analysis, and patient satisfaction (Eyelash Satisfaction Questionnaire-9). Safety assessments included adverse-event monitoring and ophthalmic examinations.

RESULTS

Significantly more bimatoprost-treated subjects had at least a one-grade improvement in GEA score from baseline to month 4 compared with vehicle in study 1 (77.3 vs 17.6%; P<0.001) and study 2 (88.9 vs 27.8%; P<0.001). Bimatoprost-treated subjects had significantly greater increases in eyelash length, thickness, and darkness at the primary time point (month 4 in both studies; all P<0.001, study 1; P≤0.04, study 2). The bimatoprost group showed greater subject satisfaction in both studies. The incidence of adverse events was similar in the two groups. Ophthalmic examination showed slightly greater mean reductions in intraocular pressure (IOP) with bimatoprost than with vehicle, and the reductions were within the normal range for daily IOP fluctuations.

CONCLUSION

Bimatoprost 0.03% was shown to be effective and safe in these studies of Japanese subjects with eyelash hypotrichosis.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE I

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Molecular detection of dermatophytes and nondermatophytes in onychomycosis by nested polymerase chain reaction based on 28S ribosomal RNA gene sequences

BACKGROUND

Onychomycosis is often caused by dermatophytes, but the role of nondermatophytes is underestimated due to the difficulty of identifying them by conventional direct microscopy and culture.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to detect nondermatophytes, as well as dermatophytes, in the nail samples of patients with onychomycosis using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based culture-independent method.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The nested PCR assay targeting the sequence of the 28S ribosomal RNA gene was used to amplify fungal DNAs from 50 microscopy-positive nail specimens. Newly designed primer sets for dermatophyte universal, Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, Aspergillus spp., Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, Fusarium solani, F. oxysporum, F. verticillioides, Candida albicans and C. tropicalis were used after confirmation of their specificity.

RESULTS

Forty-seven cases (94%) were positive for fungal DNA, among which dermatophytes were detected in 39 cases (83.0%): T. rubrum in 35 cases (74.5%) and T. mentagrophytes in eight cases (17.0%). Surprisingly, nondermatophytes were detected in 18 cases (38.3%), both dermatophytes and nondermatophytes in 10 cases (21.3%) and nondermatophytes alone in eight cases (17.0%). Aspergillus spp. alone was observed in five cases (10.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates that most of the affected nail plates of patients with onychomycosis were positive for specific fungal DNAs, and suggests that nondermatophytes detected at high rates may be involved in the pathogenesis of onychomycosis.

Antisense oligonucleotide targeting fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)-1 stimulates cellular activity of hair follicles in an in vitro organ culture system

BACKGROUND

The hair cycle is regulated by various molecules, among which FGF-5 has been shown to promote the transition from anagen to catagen. The FGFR-1, a trans-membrane receptor of FGF-5 with tyrosine kinase activity, is localized in the follicular papilla of hair follicles.

OBJECTIVES

In order to apply the antisense oligonucleotides targeting FGFR-1 as a treatment for baldness, we examined the effect of the oligonucleotides on hair follicle growth in a serum-free organ culture system.

METHODS

Vibrissal hair follicles from C3H/He mice were cultured in the presence of a reagent at 31 degrees C in 95% O(2)-5% CO(2) for 72 h. A 20-mer antisense nucleotide and its randomly arranged counterpart were prepared by predicting the effective target site of FGFR-1 mRNA. Cellular activity in the hair bulb was estimated by measuring the fluorescence intensity (FI) of the medium after incubation with AlamarBlue dye.

RESULTS

The addition of 30 microM of the phosphorothioate form of antisense oligonucleotide (A1561TS) to the media increased the FI by 30%, whereas the control produced no detectable change. This effect was reproducible dose-dependent with maximal stimulation at 30 microM. Incorporation of the oligonucleotide into the follicular papilla was histologically confirmed by incubation with FITC-labeled phosphorothioate oligonucleotides, and the intact morphological structure of the hair bulb was maintained intact after a 72-h incubation.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest the clinical utility of antisense nucleotide targeting FGFR-1 as a treatment for baldness.