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Prostanoids, including prostaglandins (PGs) and thromboxane A2 (TXA2), are a family of lipid-derived autacoids that modulate many physiological systems and pathological contexts. Prostanoids are generated by sequential metabolism of arachidonic acid, catalysed by cyclo-oxygenase, to PGH2, which is then converted to PGD2, PGE2, PGF2α, PGI2 and TXA2, catalysed by their specific synthases. Recent evidence suggests that prostanoids play a role in regulating hair growth. The PGF2α analogue is Food and Drug Administrationapproved in the US and routinely used to enhance the growth of human eyelashes. PGE2 is reported to protect from radiation-induced hair loss in mice. Conversely, PGD2 inhibits hair growth. This paper reviews the metabolism of prostanoids and the expression pattern of prostanoid receptors in hair follicles, focussing on their different and opposing effects on hair growth and the underlying mechanisms. This has potential clinical relevance in the treatment and prevention of hair disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to assess the impact of childhood vitiligo on the psychological status and quality of life of their parents, and to determine how this varies according to their children's disease condition. The study included 50 families of children with vitiligo (a total of 75 participants) and 50 families of normal children (a total of 79 participants). The psychosocial impact of the disease on parents was measured using the Self-rated Health Measurement Scale (SRHMS) and the Dermatitis Family Impact Questionnaire (DFI). SRHMS scores for parents of children with vitiligo were significantly lower than for parents with normal children. In addition, women had lower scores on SRHMS scale than men in the study group. The mean DFI score in affected families was higher than in unaffected families. Parents of children with vitiligo have significant psychological problems, and their quality of life is poorer than for parents of normal children. In conclusion, parents of children with vitiligo need as much care and attention as their affected children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report here a Chinese family with erythrokeratodermia variabilis which had 30 affected members. The patients had characteristic clinical features of stationary and migratory lesions. Some of the patients had adult on- set of the disease. Five out of 30 patients noted episodes of pustule-like lesions during their disease course. Histological examination of the proband showed granular cell vacuolation and upper-epidermal neutrophil aggregates. Mitochondria vacuolation was noted in keratinocytes by electron microscopic examination. No GJB3 and GJB4 pathogenic mutation was detected. These unusual presentations suggested a new phenotypic and genetic correlation in this Chinese pedigree of erythrokeratodermia variabilis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitiligo is a mucocutaneous pigmentary disorder with worldwide distribution. Little is known about the clinical profile of vitiligo in North-eastern China. Accordingly, we reviewed 692 vitiligo out-patients from seven government hospitals in North-eastern China via a questionnaire in a multi-centre study conducted between June 2007 and June 2008, and hence characterized the epidemiology of vitiligo in North-eastern China. The mean ± standard deviation age of onset was 23.69±13.83 years (range < 1-77 years). No gender preponderance was seen. The back was the most common site of involvement (39.6%). Vitiligo vulgaris was the predominant form (53.5%). Mucosal lesions were associated with lesions on the feet (odds ratio (OR)=3.177, p<0.001), hands (OR=2.228, p<0.01), face (OR=2.028, p<0.05) and neck (OR=0.454, p<0.05); but were not associated with chest, abdomen, waist, arms, legs or scalp lesions. Mucosal vitiligo is probably a special form of acrofacial vitiligo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article informs that tylosis with esophageal cancer is an extremely rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by earlyonset palmar and plantar hyperkeratosis, oral leukoplakia and a high risk of esophageal cancer. It also discusses case study of a Chinese family having 65 individuals spanning 4 generations, of which 12 were affected.

The article offers a case report of a 18-year-old male who developed symptoms such as micturition and an open anterior fontanel hyperpigmentation and pruritic skin since a very early age. After skeletal and physical examination along with exome sequencing it was found that he was suffering from Penttinen syndrome that is described as a prematurely aging of the body and is caused by excess phosphorylation of Platelet-derived growth factor receptors (PDGFRB) mutation.

The article presents a case study of 27-year-old male who reported absence of sweating dry thin lustreless sparse hair over the scalp, absence of eyelashes, axillary, pubic and whole-body hair, and congenitally missing teeth. His biopsy of the papules on the face showed many large sebaceous gland lobules surrounding vellus hair follicles and the absence of sweat glands. It mentions next-generation sequencing (NGS) in Chinese pedigree of hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED) with hyperplasia.

The article presents a case study of a 68-year-old Chinese male who developed an expanding, painful, necrotic skin ulcer on his lower abdomen wall. The patient had undergone a skin biopsy from the ulcer border and was diagnosed with ost-surgical pyoderma gangrenosum (PSPG). He was treated with methylprednisolone and was completely healed.

A quiz concerning malignant syphilis in a man with type II diabetes is presented.

The article describes the case of a 36-year-old man admitted with bilateral nipple-areola eczematoid lesions due to primary syphilis caused by Treponema pallidum. Topics discussed include the results of several tests performed on the patient including physical examination, skin biopsy and serologic and improvement in the patient's lesions after treatment of intramuscular injections of 2.4 million units of benzathine penicillin.

The article presents a case study of a Chinese woman with a 10-day history of progressive painful ecchymoses, haemorrhagic bullae and skin necrosis known as purpura fulminans to patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The patient has received a 10-day oral Anluotong Pian therapy to treat arthralgia one week before the onset of the skin lesions. The patient has been treated with intravenous methylprednisolone and laboratory tests returned to normal.

A letter to the editor is presented about a case of pustular bacterid (PB) in a 42-year-old patient with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Prostanoids, including prostaglandins (PGs) and thromboxane A2 (TXA2), are a family of lipid-derived autacoids that modulate many physiological systems and pathological contexts. Prostanoids are generated by sequential metabolism of arachidonic acid, catalysed by cyclo-oxygenase, to PGH2, which is then converted to PGD2, PGE2, PGF2α, PGI2 and TXA2, catalysed by their specific synthases. Recent evidence suggests that prostanoids play a role in regulating hair growth. The PGF2α analogue is Food and Drug Administration-approved in the US and routinely used to enhance the growth of human eyelashes. PGE2 is reported to protect from radiation-induced hair loss in mice. Conversely, PGD2 inhibits hair growth. This paper reviews the metabolism of prostanoids and the expression pattern of prostanoid receptors in hair follicles, focussing on their different and opposing effects on hair growth and the underlying mechanisms. This has potential clinical relevance in the treatment and prevention of hair disorders.