Search

Background: Precise skin phenotypic data are indispensable in accurately diagnosing atopic dermatitis (AD). Therefore, this study examined the interobserver concordance for AD and non-AD diagnoses between two dermatologists. AD prevalence determined by the self-reported physician diagnoses and the diagnoses determined from the United Kingdom (UK) diagnostic criteria were compared with the diagnoses made by the two dermatologists, using data from a skin health survey., Methods: This study included 1,638 children that participated in the skin health survey, which was part of the Tohoku Medical Megabank Project Birth and Three-Generation Cohort Study. AD was assessed using dermatologist assessments, self-reported physician diagnoses, and the UK diagnostic criteria. The concordance for diagnoses was evaluated using kappa. The sensitivity and specificity of the self-reported physician diagnoses and the UK diagnostic criteria were calculated by comparing them with the two dermatologists' diagnoses., Results: Among the 1,638 children, 393 (24.0 %), 194 (11.9 %), and 597 (37.2 %) were diagnosed with AD by the two dermatologists, physicians, and the UK diagnostic criteria, respectively. The kappa (95 % CI) of the interobserver concordance for AD or non-AD diagnoses between the two dermatologists was 0.78 (0.75-0.81). The sensitivity and specificity of the self-reported physician diagnoses were 26.7 % and 94.1 %, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the UK diagnostic criteria were 85.0 % and 82.4 %, respectively., Conclusions: Interobserver concordance for AD or non-AD diagnoses between the two dermatologists was substantial. Self-reported physician diagnoses exhibited low sensitivity that potentially indicated underdiagnosis of AD, whereas the UK diagnostic criteria might overdiagnose AD., (Copyright © 2024 Japanese Society of Allergology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) is known to correct abnormal gait patterns and improve walking stability and speed in patients with hemiparesis. To quantify these benefits in post-stroke gait, a three-dimensional motion analysis of gait pattern was conducted. Forty patients with hemiparesis were enrolled. A three-dimensional motion analysis system was used to analyze patients' treadmill walking with/without an AFO. Outcome measures were 12 abnormal gait indices (forefoot contact, knee extensor thrust, retropulsion of the hip, flexed-knee gait, medial whip in the stance phase, circumduction gait, hip hiking, insufficient knee flexion during the swing phase, excessive lateral shifting of the trunk, contralateral vaulting, excessive hip external rotation, and posterior pelvic tilt), calculated using kinematic data and spatiotemporal indices, and the symmetry index of double-stance and single-stance time and step length. Forefoot contact (without AFO vs. with AFO: 71.0 vs. 65.8, P < 0.001), circumduction gait (65.0 vs. 57.9, P < 0.001), and contralateral vaulting (78.2 vs. 72.2, P = 0.003) were significantly reduced, whereas excessive hip external rotation (53.7 vs. 62.8, P = 0.003) significantly increased during walking with an AFO. Hip hiking (77.1 vs. 71.7) showed marginal reduction with the use of AFO ( P = 0.096). The absolute symmetry index of double-stance time (21.9 vs. 16.1, P = 0.014) significantly decreased during walking with an AFO. AFO effectively mitigates abnormal gait patterns typical of hemiparetic gait. A 3D motion analysis system with clinically oriented indices can help assess intervention efficacy for gait abnormalities., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) is a chronic skin inflammatory disease characterized by sterile pustules on the palms and soles. Pustulotic arthro-osteitis (PAO) is a major comorbidity of PPP, frequently affecting the anterior chest wall. PPP and PAO are thought to be closely associated with focal infection. We report a female in her 40s who developed pustules on her palms and soles with tenderness of both sternoclavicular and left sacroiliac joints, which were not improved with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Of note, she showed a great response to amoxicillin, resulting in the almost complete resolution of her skin lesions and arthralgia. We also reviewed previous reports to learn more about the potential therapeutic options of antibiotics for PAO., (© 2023 Japanese Dermatological Association.)

Reservoir computing is a machine learning paradigm that uses a structure called a reservoir, which has nonlinearities and short-term memory. In recent years, reservoir computing has expanded to new functions such as the autonomous generation of chaotic time series, as well as time series prediction and classification. Furthermore, novel possibilities have been demonstrated, such as inferring the existence of previously unseen attractors. Sampling, in contrast, has a strong influence on such functions. Sampling is indispensable in a physical reservoir computer that uses an existing physical system as a reservoir because the use of an external digital system for the data input is usually inevitable. This study analyzes the effect of sampling on the ability of reservoir computing to autonomously regenerate chaotic time series. We found, as expected, that excessively coarse sampling degrades the system performance, but also that excessively dense sampling is unsuitable. Based on quantitative indicators that capture the local and global characteristics of attractors, we identify a suitable window of the sampling frequency and discuss its underlying mechanisms., (© 2023 Author(s). Published under an exclusive license by AIP Publishing.)

Objectives: To evaluate the safety and acceptability of a newly developed tele-rehabilitation exercise system using computer-generated animation., Methods: The participants comprised a convenience sample of 38 diverse individuals in Experiment 1 (15 healthy young people, 16 healthy older people, 5 patients with stroke, and 2 patients with respiratory disease) and 18 healthy older individuals in Experiment 2. Experiment 1 assessed safety in terms of cardiopulmonary vascular aspects and risk of fall, and Experiment 2 assessed treatment acceptability via a subjective evaluation. All participants completed the same exercise program. The safety assessment was conducted using heart rate (HR) and saturation of percutaneous oxygen (SpO2), measured before and after exercise. In addition, the occurrence of falls was assessed. For the acceptability assessment, the participants answered five questions (three-point Likert scale) after the exercise program., Results: The safety assessment indicated that HR and SpO2 changed from 70.5±10.2 beats per minute and 97.8±1.3% before exercise to 87.6±13.6 beats per minute and 98.2±0.9% after exercise, respectively. In addition, all participants completed the exercises without experiencing any falls. In the acceptability assessment, the score reflecting continuation desire was the highest of the five items examined (2.71±0.46). In contrast, the adequacy of exercise intensity had the lowest score (1.29±0.57)., Conclusions: The present system was confirmed to be safe, and the participants were motivated to continue the exercises. Future developments should incorporate a function to enable participants and medical staff to adjust exercise intensity according to individual physical function.

Background: Ankle-foot orthoses are used to improve gait stability in patients with post-stroke gait; however, there is not enough evidence to support their beneficial impact on gait stability., Aim: To investigate the effects of ankle-foot orthoses on post-stroke gait stability., Design: An experimental study with repeated measurements of gait parameters with and without orthosis., Setting: Inpatients and outpatients in the Fujita Health University Hospital, Toyoake, Japan., Population: Thirty-two patients (22 males; mean age 48.3±20.0 years) with post-stroke hemiparesis participated in the study., Methods: Three-dimensional treadmill gait analysis was performed with and without ankle-foot orthosis for each participant. Spatiotemporal parameters, their coefficient of variation, and margin of stability were evaluated. Toe clearance, another major target of orthosis, was also examined. The effect of orthosis in the patients with severe (not able to move within the full range of motion, defying gravity) and mild ankle impairment (able to move within the full range but have problem with speed and/or smoothness of the ankle movement) was compared., Results: In the total group comparison, the decrease in the coefficient of variation of step width (P=0.012), and margin of stability on the paretic side (P=0.023) were observed. In the severe ankle impairment groups, the decreased in the coefficient of variation of the non-paretic step length (P=0.007), stride length (P=0.037), and step width (P=0.033) and margin of stability on the paretic side (P=0.006) were observed. No significant effects were observed in the mild ankle impairment group; rather, the coefficient of variation of non-paretic step length increased with the use of orthosis in this group (P=0.043); however, toe clearance increased with the use of ankle-foot orthosis (P=0.041)., Conclusions: Ankle-foot orthoses improved gait stability indices; however, the effect was either not significant or showed possible worsening in the patients with mild ankle impairment, while the effect on toe clearance was significant. These results suggest that the effects of using orthoses in patients with mild impairment should be carefully evaluated., Clinical Rehabilitation Impact: Understanding the effects of ankle-foot orthoses on the stability of post-stroke gait and their relationship with ankle impairment severity may support clinical decision-making while prescribing orthosis for post-stroke hemiparesis.

Biologics has had a great impact on psoriasis treatment as well as the life of psoriasis patients. Infliximab (IFX), one of the biologics targeting tumor necrosis factor (TNF), is the first of the biologics introduced to Japanese psoriasis patients. Many patients had benefits of IFX from initial applications and sustained remission of skin lesions and arthritis. Some, however, fall into so-called secondary failure, in which patients become less responsive to IFX when the treatment is repeated. The mechanism of secondary failure and the background of patients with secondary failure have not been completely elucidated. To address this issue, we retrospectively evaluated psoriasis patients treated with IFX in our department. In this retrospective, single-center, case-control study based on the clinical record, a total of 34 patients were enrolled. We excluded 7 patients who discontinued IFX because of adverse events of IFX. We divided other 27 patients into two groups; 16 patients who kept using IFX (Continuance group); and 11 patients who switched to other treatments (Discontinuance group). Among various clinical features, body mass index (BMI), HbA1c, and serum CRP level were significantly higher in the Discontinuance group than the Continuance group. The results indicated that these three clinical features of BMI, HbA1c and serum CRP level before treatment are the predictors of successful IFX treatment and suggest that improvement of metabolic conditions contributes to avoiding secondary failure and discontinuance of IFX., (© 2021 Japanese Dermatological Association.)

Psoriasis is a chronic disease centered on tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)-23, and IL-17 axis. While psoriasis patients benefit from biologics targeting TNF, IL-17s, and IL-23 nowadays, suppression of these molecules could modulate the balances of immune systems. However, the incidence of autoimmune disease and T-helper 2 reaction during biologic treatments for psoriasis patients is not well documented. We retrospectively examined antinuclear antibody (ANA), eosinophil counts, and immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels for psoriasis patients who underwent biologic treatments in our dermatology clinic from June 10, 2010 to January 29, 2020. A cumulative total of 199 biologic treatments were performed for a total of 128 psoriasis patients. Compared to the non-biologic group of 109 psoriasis patients who received non-biologic treatment, patients treated with infliximab showed more incidents of high ANA (14%, p = 0.039) and high eosinophils (14%, p = 0.021). The use of brodalumab increased incidents of high eosinophils (21%, p = 0.005) but did not affect increase in ANA and IgE. The increase in high IgE level was observed significantly more during the use of risankizumab (15%, p = 0.011). Methotrexate was the most frequently used concomitant systemic treatment, but methotrexate did not affect ANA, eosinophil counts, and IgE levels. Since the biologics for psoriasis treatment modulate the balance of T-helper cells, careful observation is required to detect unexpected changes of systemic immune conditions under biologic treatments., (© 2021 Japanese Dermatological Association.)

Genome-wide association studies have identified more than 60 susceptibility loci for psoriasis, highlighting the role of genetics in psoriasis development. Although the HLA region is suggested as the most prominent susceptibility locus, the role of the HLA haplotype in the development of psoriasis is unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate how HLA haplotype changes affect the onset of psoriasis and which HLA haplotypes are associated with the development of psoriasis. A longitudinal, retrospective case series study of children was conducted at Tohoku University Hospital in Japan, between November 1981 and October 2020. We evaluated a total of 378 pediatric patients who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the Department of Pediatrics. The background of these patients and their HLA haplotypes before and after transplantation was assessed. Among the 378 cases, aged 0-22 years old (median age 6) identified, 117 cases received autologous transplantation, 260 cases received allogeneic transplantation, and one case received syngeneic transplantation. Only two cases developed de novo psoriasis, and these cases had acquired HLA-B46-Cw1 after allogeneic transplantation. Others who had HLA-B46-Cw1 before and after allogeneic transplantation did not develop psoriasis. Our findings suggest that the HLA-B46 and HLA-Cw1 combination contributes to the development of psoriasis in this Asian population., (© 2021 Japanese Dermatological Association.)

The most common adverse event of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors, used to treat colorectal, non-small cell lung, and head and neck cancers, is acneiform eruption, with a profound effect on treatment continuation. Prolonged acneiform eruptions treated with topical corticosteroids, a standard management, may be associated with secondary bacterial infections, thus there is a need for new treatments. We conducted a multicenter, phase II trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical benzoyl peroxide for epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor-induced prolonged acneiform eruptions. Patients with colorectal, non-small lung cell, and head and neck cancers who received epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors for >10 weeks and had persistent acneiform eruptions were eligible. Topical benzoyl peroxide was applied to the affected area of the face once daily for 8 weeks; a clinical evaluation was performed every 2 weeks. The primary endpoint was a change in acneiform eruption severity evaluated between disease onset and end of the treatment period. The quality of life of patients was assessed using the Dermatology Life Quality Index. Of the 14 enrolled patients, 11 completed the trial. The protocol-specified grade of acneiform eruptions from baseline to week 8 improved from 2.0 to 1.0 (P < 0.01). The dermatology life quality index score from baseline to week 8 improved from 3.0 to 1.0 point (P < 0.01). No patient experienced severe adverse events. Overall, topical benzoyl peroxide may be effective for treating and managing prolonged acneiform eruptions induced by epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors., (© 2021 Japanese Dermatological Association.)

Systemic corticosteroid is indicated for vitiligo, especially for generalized and progressive vitiligo. However, no consensus exists yet for the dosages and modalities of systemic corticosteroid treatments for vitiligo. The purpose of this study is to validate the efficacy and safety of i.v. methylprednisolone pulse therapy (IVMP) for patients with progressive generalized vitiligo. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of vitiligo patients treated in our institute for 10 years between January 2010 and December 2019. Among 525 vitiligo patients treated in 10 years, 33 vitiligo patients (aged, 8-78 years; 18 female and 15 males) received IVMP, a single course of daily 500 mg methylprednisolone application (8 mg/kg/day for children) for 3 consecutive days. We observed that 14 of 25 (56%) achieved stable condition without lesion progression, and 12 of 19 (63%) had more than 25% repigmentation at 6 months after IVMP. A group of Vitiligo Area Scoring Index over 10 included more patients with Vitiligo Disease Activity Score of +3 and +4 disease progression at 6 months after the IVMP. We did not observe any severe adverse events relating to the IVMP procedures. In conclusion, IVMP is a safe and effective treatment for progressive generalized vitiligo., (© 2021 Japanese Dermatological Association.)

Abstract: Decision-making to stop cancer treatment in patients with advanced cancer is stressful, and it significantly influences subsequent end-of-life palliative treatment. However, little is known about the extent to which the patient's self-decisions influenced the prognostic period. This study focused on the patient's self-decision and investigated the impact of the self-decision to stop cancer treatment on their post-cancer treatment survival period and place of death.We retrospectively analyzed 167 cases of advanced genitourinary cancer patients (kidney cancer: 42; bladder cancer: 68; prostate cancer: 57) treated at the University of Fukui Hospital (UFH), who later died because of cancer. Of these, 100 patients decided to stop cancer treatment by themselves (self-decision group), while the families of the remaining 67 patients (family's decision group) decided to stop treatment on their behalf because the patient's decision-making ability was already impaired. Differences in the post-cancer-treatment survival period and place of death between the 2 groups were examined. The association between place of death and survival period was also analyzed.The median survival period after terminating cancer treatment was approximately 6 times longer in the self-decision group (145.5 days in self-decision group vs 23.0 days in family's decision group, P < .001). Proportions for places of death were as follows: among the self-decision group, 42.0% of patients died at UFH, 45.0% at other medical institutions, and 13.0% at home; among the family's decision group, 62.7% died at UFH, 32.8% at other medical institutions, and 4.5% at home. The proportion of patients who died at UFH was significantly higher among the family's decision group (P = .011). The median survival period was significantly shorter for patients who died at UFH (UFH: 30.0 days; other institutions/home: 161.0 days; P < .001).Significantly longer post-cancer-treatment survival period and higher home death rate were observed among patients whose cancer treatment was terminated based on their self-decision. Our results provide clinical evidence, especially in terms of prognostic period and place of death that support the importance of discussing bad news, such as stopping cancer treatment with patients., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2021 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Shrimp is one of the most delicious and popular food commodities worldwide due to its exceptional taste and characteristics. Freshness is considered as a key factor for shrimp consumers because freshness has a significant relationship with taste and shelf-life of shrimp. However, post-mortem metabolism of shrimp differs from that of fish as they are highly susceptible to post-harvest quality loss, and it is hard to distinguish the freshness variation of shrimp at frozen state instantly. Thus, instant monitoring of frozen shrimp freshness is challenging for the seafood and aquaculture industries and a reliable, expeditious, and noninvasive technique to estimate shrimp quality is in high demand. Accordingly, this study aimed to visualize changes in post-mortem freshness of frozen shrimp using multidimensional fluorescence imaging. Live coonstripe shrimp (Pandalus hypsinotus) were harvested and instantly killed by beheading, cooled on ice for 0, 6, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h (n = 8), followed by processing into frozen peeled deveined shrimp product and stored at -60 °C. 50% of frozen shrimp were analyzed for excitation-emission matrix (EEM), ATP-related compounds, and pH using a fiber optic supported fluorescence spectrophotometer (F-7100), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and pH meter, respectively at each time point (n = 4). Then, fluorescence images were obtained from the remaining 50% of frozen shrimp (n = 4) by computer vision method equipped with a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera, MAX-303 xenon light source for an excitation light (Ex. 330 nm), and an automatic filter changer for emission band-pass filters (Em. 380-610 nm at 10 nm intervals). Chemical analysis of frozen shrimp revealed that K-value and pH of shrimp increased from 1.61 to 66.56% and 6.49-7.31, respectively, during storage on ice. Repeated partial least squares regression (PLSR) models of EEM for K-value prediction suggested an efficient excitation wavelength (330 nm) and its corresponding emission wavelengths (380-610 nm) to produce fluorescence images. Spatial-temporal changes of K-value and pH were visualized successfully in frozen shrimp by fluorescence imaging. K-value visualization was then validated effectively using another group of frozen shrimp (0-72 h ice stored) with different killing method (super chilling) and the prediction accuracy was R 2  = 0.80. This novel approach using a CCD camera coupled with EEM provides a state-of-the-art authentication method for practical assessment of frozen seafood freshness., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: During baseball pitching, a high amount of elbow varus torque in the arm cocking-to-acceleration phase is thought to be a biomechanical risk factor for medial elbow pain and injury. The biomechanics of the stride phase may provide preparation for the arm cocking-to-acceleration phase that follows it., Purpose: To determine the kinematic parameters that predict peak elbow varus torque during the stride phase of pitching., Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study., Methods: Participants were 107 high school baseball pitchers (age range, 15-18 years) without shoulder or elbow problems. Whole-body kinematics and kinetics during fastball pitching were analyzed using 3-dimensional measurements from 36 retroreflective markers. A total of 26 kinematic parameters of the upper and lower limbs during the stride phase leading up to the stride foot contact were extracted for multiple regression analysis to assess their combined effect on the magnitude of peak elbow varus torque., Results: Increased wrist extension, elbow pronation, knee flexion on the leading leg, knee extension on the trailing leg at stride foot contact, and upward displacement of the body's center of mass in the stride phase were significantly correlated with decreased peak elbow varus torque (all P < .05). Moreover, 38% of the variance in peak elbow varus torque was explained by a combination of these 5 significant kinematic variables ( P < .001)., Conclusion: We found that 5 kinematic parameters during the stride phase and the combination of these parameters were associated with peak elbow varus torque. The stride phase provides biomechanical preparation for pitching and plays a key role in peak elbow varus torque in subsequent pitching phases., Clinical Relevance: The present data can be used to screen pitching mechanics with motion capture assessment to reduce peak elbow varus torque. Decreased peak elbow varus torque is expected to reduce the risk of elbow medial pain and injury., Competing Interests: The authors declared that there are no conflicts of interest in the authorship and publication of this contribution. AOSSM checks author disclosures against the Open Payments Database (OPD). AOSSM has not conducted an independent investigation on the OPD and disclaims any liability or responsibility relating thereto., (© The Author(s) 2020.)

Background: Musculocontractural Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a new and rare subtype of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in which anesthetic considerations for airway and respiratory management, prevention of skin injuries and joint dislocations, and hemostatic management for severe perioperative bleeding are required., Case Presentation: A 19-year-old woman with musculocontractural Ehlers-Danlos syndrome was scheduled to undergo posterior spinal fusion from the 4th thoracic to the 4th lumbar vertebrae under general anesthesia. Her trachea was easily intubated with a videolaryngoscope despite a small mouth and micrognathia. Pressure-controlled ventilation with limited peak inspiratory pressure was performed for prevention of pneumothorax. Skin damage and joint luxation were prevented by using a low rebounding mattress, terpolymer-based barrier film, and careful patient positioning. Blood transfusion was effectively performed on the basis of point-of-care viscoelastic hemostatic assay monitoring. She had an uneventful postoperative course without any complications., Conclusions: We safely managed a patient with musculocontractural Ehlers-Danlos syndrome undergoing scoliosis surgery.

Hemiparesis resulting from stroke presents characteristic spatiotemporal gait patterns. This study aimed to clarify the spatiotemporal gait characteristics of hemiparetic patients by comparing them with height-, speed-, and age-matched controls while walking at various speeds. The data on spatiotemporal gait parameters of stroke patients and that of matched controls were extracted from a hospital gait analysis database. In total, 130 pairs of data were selected for analysis. Patients and controls were compared for spatiotemporal gait parameters and the raw value (RSI) and absolute value (ASI) of symmetry index and coefficient of variation (CV) of these parameters. Stroke patients presented with prolonged nonparetic stance (patients vs. controls: 1.01 ± 0.41 vs. 0.83 ± 0.25) and paretic swing time (0.45 ± 0.12 vs. 0.39 ± 0.07), shortened nonparetic swing phase (0.35 ± 0.07 vs. 0.39 ± 0.07), and prolonged paretic and nonparetic double stance phases [0.27 ± 0.13 (paretic)/0.27 ± 0.17 (nonparetic) vs. 0.22 ± 0.10]. These changes are especially seen in low-gait speed groups (<3.4 km/h). High RSIs of stance and swing times were also observed (-9.62 ± 10.32 vs. -0.79 ± 2.93, 24.24 ± 25.75 vs. 1.76 ± 6.43, respectively). High ASIs and CVs were more generally observed, including the groups with gait speed of ≥3.5 km/h. ASI increase of the swing phase (25.79 ± 22.69 vs. 4.83 ± 4.88) and CV of the step length [7.7 ± 4.9 (paretic)/7.6 ± 5.0 (nonparetic) vs. 5.3 ± 3.0] were observed in all gait speed groups. Our data suggest that abnormalities in the spatiotemporal parameters of hemiparetic gait should be interpreted in relation to gait speed. ASIs and CVs could be highly sensitive indices for detecting gait abnormalities.

Background: Keratinocytes and melanocytes in human epidermis express Toll-like receptors (TLR) and induce immune responses. We previously reported that TLR3 stimulation increases melanosome transport from perinuclear to cell membrane in melanocytes and enhanced release of melanosome from melanocytes, which were followed by increase in melanosome uptake into keratinocytes., Objective: In this study, we investigated whether TLR3 stimuli directly affect keratinocytes to enhance melanosome uptake., Methods: To observe keratinocyte's melanosome uptake ability precisely without melanocytes influences, we isolated melanosomes from human melanocytes and applied isolated melanosomes to keratinocytes stimulated by Poly(I:C)., Results: Poly(I:C)-stimulated keratinocytes enhanced uptake of isolated melanosome-rich globules five-times as much as control. Poly(I:C) increases the RNA and protein expressions of RHOA and CDC42, which are small GTP-binding proteins inducing the endocytosis. Pull-down assay showed that Poly(I:C) increased the GTP-binding RHOA and CDC42, suggesting TLR3 stimulation activated RHOA and CDC42. The knockdown of TLR3 suppressed RHOA and CDC42 induction by Poly(I:C). Consistently, the knockdown of RHOA and CDC42 significantly suppressed the melanosome-rich globules uptake by Poly(I:C)-stimulated keratinocytes., Conclusion: Because RHOA and CDC42 activation induces endocytosis by modification of actin stress fiber and filopodia formation, respectively, these results suggested that TLR3 stimulation enhances melanosome uptake into keratinocytes through endocytosis mechanisms. Combining with the data of our previous publications, TLR3, which signal is activated by sensing viral molecules, enhance pigmentation by controlling both melanin transport system by RAB GTPases induction in melanocytes and uptake system by RHOA and CDC42 in keratinocytes., (Copyright © 2019 Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Aims: We evaluated the relationship between body mass index (BMI), including low BMI, and nocturia in Japanese women., Methods: We collected data on 18 952 women who participated in a multiphasic health screening in Fukui, Japan, in 2006. The participants were asked to report any current or previous disease. Self-reported current body weight and height were used to calculate the BMI. We analyzed the relationship between nocturia, as assessed by a questionnaire, and other variables including age, BMI, and comorbidities., Results: The participants' mean age was 60.6 years. Overall, the prevalence of nocturia (two or more voids/night) was 4.3% and increased in an age-dependent manner. BMI did not affect nocturia in the young participants. The prevalence of nocturia was higher in the high-BMI women (>25.0 kg/m 2 ) in their fifth and sixth decades, but the prevalence was higher in the low-BMI (<18.5 kg/m 2 ) in the women more than 80-years old. A multivariate analysis revealed a significant association between nocturia and the following: age, BMI, sleep disturbance, arteriosclerosis, cerebrovascular disease, chronic pulmonary disease, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. Not only high BMI (which is already reported as a risk of nocturia) but also low BMI was a factor related to nocturia., Conclusion: Our findings indicate that in addition to obesity, low BMI is a factor of nocturia in women., (© 2019 The Authors. Neurourology and Urodynamics Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background/aim: Chemotherapy with docetaxel (DTX) is used for castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), but it is inadequate., Materials and Methods: We evaluated the effect of the combination treatment DTX and the mTOR inhibitor temsirolimus (TEM) in the PC3 prostate cancer cell line, by focusing on the induction of autophagy and apoptosis., Results: TEM induced autophagy but not apoptosis even at a high dose, whereas DTX induced apoptosis. The combination of low-dose DTX and TEM caused a 34% suppression in cell proliferation compared to monotherapy with a higher dose of DTX. The induction of apoptosis was increased by their combination. The combination with DTX overcame the induction of autophagy by TEM. The combination treatment suppressed tumor growth 72% less than the control group after 14 days of treatment in vivo., Conclusion: The combination of TEM and DTX induced apoptosis by overcoming autophagy and enhanced the anticancer effect compared to monotherapy., (Copyright© 2019, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.)

Perifolliculitis capitis abscedens et suffodiens (PCAS) or dissecting cellulitis is a rare condition presenting deep follicular occlusions, follicular ruptures and follicular infections in the scalp area with unknown etiology, which consequently cause primary neutrophilic cicatricial alopecia by the repeated follicular inflammation. PCAS is categorized as one of the "follicular occlusion tetrad" along with hidradenitis suppurativa, acne conglobata and pilonidal cyst. In the pathogenesis of the follicular occlusion tetrad, the involvement of neutrophils and its activator tumor necrosis factor (TNF) have been discussed. Here, we report a case of PCAS that was successfully treated with adalimumab, a human anti-TNF monoclonal antibody. This is the first Asian case of PCAS that was improved by a TNF inhibitor., (© 2019 Japanese Dermatological Association.)

Aim: Chronic prostatic inflammation is a critical factor that exacerbates lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). The serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level is one of the most common markers with which to assess the degree of inflammation, and it has been reported to be related to the severity of LUTS. However, it is not clear whether the CRP level is linked to the magnitude of prostatic inflammation. We evaluated the relationship between the serum CRP level and the magnitude of prostatic inflammation and assessed the influence of CRP on the severity of LUTS., Methods: We evaluated the tissue specimens of 121 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients who underwent surgery for BPH and preoperative measurement of the serum CRP level. We quantified the magnitude of prostatic inflammation histologically by determining the number of high endothelial venule (HEV)-like vessels and assessed the relationship between the serum CRP level and the HEV-like vessels. We divided the patients into two groups based on the median serum CRP level and compared the clinical parameters of the two groups., Results: The serum CRP level was correlated with the overactive bladder symptom score, whereas it was not correlated with the number of HEV-like vessels. In filling cystometry and pressure-flow study, the proportion of patients with detrusor overactivity in the higher-CRP group was higher than that in the lower-CRP group., Conclusions: Our present study showed that the serum CRP level was significantly associated with storage dysfunction; in contrast, it was not a surrogate marker of prostatic inflammation., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)