Eujin Cho

Polyphenon-60 displays a therapeutic effect on acne by suppression of TLR2 and IL-8 expression via down-regulating the ERK1/2 pathway

Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is a well-known acne-inducing factor which causes inflammatory skin lesions by enhancing cytokine production through toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2). Green tea extract catechin has been documented to possess anti-inflammatory effects. However, little is known about the mechanisms involved or any direct effect of green tea catechin on acne. The present study investigated the therapeutic effects and mechanism of polyphenon-60, also known as green tea catechin compound, on acne in vitro and in vivo. In a clinical study using topical polyphenon-60 treatment, acne patients showed symptomatic improvement with decrease in the number of comedos and pustules. To investigate the mechanism underlying the activity of polyphenon-60 in acne therapy, an in vitro study was performed. We found that polyphenon-60 reduced the levels of P. acnes-enhanced TLR2 and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in THP-1 cells, human monocyte cell line and human primary monocytes. Taken together, these data demonstrate that polyphenon-60 has a therapeutic effect on acne by suppressing inflammation, specifically by inhibiting TLR2 expression and IL-8 secretion via down-regulation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) pathway and activator protein-1 (AP-1) pathway.

Systemic Contact Dermatitis from Propolis Ingestion

Propolis, also known as bee glue, is a substance collected by worker bees and it is used as a material for constructing and maintaining their beehives. It has been used topically and orally by humans for its anti-inflammatory properties. However, the growing use of propolis has been paralleled by reports of allergic contact dermatitis as a reaction to the substance. Contact dermatitis with generalized cutaneous manifestations elicited by propolis ingestion has not been previously reported. Here we report on the first case of systemic contact dermatitis from propolis ingestion in a 36-year-old woman.

Syringocystadenoma papilliferum of the back combined with a tubular apocrine adenoma.

Syringocystadenoma papilliferum (SCAP) and tubular apocrine adenoma (TAA) are rare benign sweat gland tumors. SCAP and TAA may have a histopathologic overlap, but few cases of a SCAP combined with a TAA have been reported. Herein we describe an unusual case of a SCAP co-existing with a TAA located on the back of a 12-year-old girl.

Giant Vascular Eccrine Spiradenoma

Giant vascular eccrine spiradenomas (GVESs) are a rare variant of the eccrine spiradenoma that develops from the sweat gland. It is different from the eccrine spiradenoma in its larger size and greater degree of vascularity. Bleeding and/or ulceration are common clinical features of this tumor, and are the reason why it is often clinically confused with a vascular or malignant tumor. Here, a rare case of GVES without bleeding or ulceration is reported.

A Case of Reactive Eccrine Syringofibroadenoma

Eccrine syringofibroadenoma is a rare adnexal tumor of eccrine ductal differentiation with variable clinical features. It manifests as either a solitary or multiple papules and nodules arranged in a symmetrical or linear pattern. The anatomical distribution is wide and includes the face, trunk, extremities, and rarely the nails. Histopathological findings show anastomosing cords and strands of uniform cuboidal cells surrounded by fibrovascular stroma. Herein, we report a case of reactive eccrine syringofibroadenoma which developed on the foot of a 37-year-old woman, after self-paring of tissue and subsequent infection and ulceration.

Progressive cribriform and zosteriform hyperpigmentation: a clinicopathologic study

Background Progressive cribriform and zosteriform hyperpigmentation (PCZH) is a disorder of pigmentation. Although several cases of PCZH have been reported, no clinicopathologic studies of the condition have been published in the English‐language literature.

Unusual presentations of papular umbilicated granuloma annulare

Figure 1. (a) Grouped, confluent, skin-colored papules on left chest wall, 1–3 mm in size, are noted in a 9-year-old girl. (b) Several, grouped, yellow-to-brown papules, 1–3 mm in size, in the left clavicular area are noted in a 49-year-old man. Dear Editor, Granuloma annulare (GA) is a benign granulomatous disease with several clinical manifestations including localized, generalized, perforating, subcutaneous, patch, papular and linear forms. Papular umbilicated GA is considered to be a special subtype of papular GA that has been reported in six cases in the English-language published work. Among the reported cases, all except one generalized case were localized on the dorsa of the hands and feet. Herein, we describe two unusual cases of papular umbilicated GA located on the clavicular area and chest wall, respectively. A 9-year-old girl presented with several pruritic, grouped papules on the left chest wall that showed no change in size for 3 weeks. She did not have recent viral infections or trauma, and the medical history revealed no other specific findings. The family history revealed no notable findings. The cutaneous examination showed grouped, confluent, skincolored papules, 1–3 mm in size, on the left chest wall (Fig. 1a). Some of the papules had central umbilication. A skin biopsy was performed and the histological examination of the lesion showed a normal overlying epidermis and a dermal granuloma with central myxoid changes. It exhibited an interstitial granuloma pattern with histiocytes between collagen bundles. No treatment was desired or given. The lesion persisted over 6 months of follow up. A 49-year-old man presented with several, asymptomatic, grouped papules involving the left clavicular area for 1 year. No change in size was observed during the 1-year period. The medical and family histories were unremarkable. On cutaneous examination, several clustered, yellow-to-brown papules, 1–3 mm in size, some with central umbilication, were noted (Fig. 1b). A skin biopsy was obtained from the skin lesion, and the histopathological examination exhib-

Idiopathic Multiple Eruptive Milia Occurred in Unusual Sites

Milia are small, white, benign keratinous cysts that are frequently encountered. Multiple eruptive milia are rare, and are characterized by the development of milia that are more extensive in number and distribution than would be expected in primary milia. We report a case of a 19-year-old girl with tiny, white papules in her axillae and on her abdomen with a review of the relevant literature.

Breast cancer cutaneous metastasis at core needle biopsy site.

Cutaneous metastasis from breast cancer can occur by direct invasion, lymphatic and vascular spread as well as iatrogenic implantation. Metastasis that occurs by iatrogenic implantation after needle biopsy is very rare but the potential risk must be considered. In this report, we describe a case of breast cancer cutaneous metastasis that occurred by iatrogenic implantation following core needle biopsy. A 53-year-old woman presented with a 1x1 cm sized erythematous nodule at the biopsy site after breast conserving surgery for primary cancer. Histopathological findings confirmed cutaneous metastasis. The possibility of this consequence must be considered when performing needle biopsies.

Localized hypertrichosis overlying neurofibroma

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