A new cosmetic agent, “Souou Extract”, inhibits melanin polymer formation of mouse B16 melanoma cells. In order to investigate the mechanism of the reduced pigmentation effect of Souou Extract, we analyzed changes in tyrosinase activities among subcellular compartments, and the inhibition effect on isolated tyrosinase activity, parallel with electron microscopic observation of less-pigmented B16 cells. Souou Extract has been found to induce no inhibition of tyrosinase activity; however, less-pigmented cells showed a significant decrease of T3-tyrosinase and melanin polymer in premelanosomes, and selective structural aberration of premelanosomes. Tyrosinase synthesized by ribosomes is known to be glycosylated in the Golgi-associated endoplasmic reticulum of lysosomes (GERL) and coated vesicles (CV), and transferred into premelanosomes; however, in Souou Extract-treated B16 cells, the GERL-CV system showed no distinct decrease in their dopa reaction. These results indicate that the mechanism of the inhibitory action of Souou Extract on melanogenesis is the inhibition of tyrosinase glycosylation in the GERL-CV system of pigment cells.Skin Research, 10: 282-288, 2011

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We report a case of chronic expanding hematoma. An 80-year-old man presented with a subcutaneous tumor on his right shoulder. The tumor, identified 6 months earlier, was not triggered by trauma or any other event, and for the previous month, the tumor had shown extensive subcutaneous hemorrhage with no symptoms. Ultrasonography and gadolinium-enhanced MRI examination were performed, and both revealed the presence of a fluid-filled cystic mass above the fascia along with an atypical solid mass attached to the cyst wall. Aspiration revealed that the fluid represented an old hemorrhage with no malignancy. Under local anesthesia, the cyst was surgically opened and the cyst wall was completely removed from inside. Based on the clinical and histological findings, the diagnosis was compatible with chronic expanding hematoma. After resection, the subcutaneous hemorrhage immediately disappeared, and no recurrence was observed even after six-month follow-up. When chronic expanding hematoma is clinically suspected, removing only the cyst wall surgically from the inside might be a useful and less invasive treatment.Skin Research, 10: 289-294, 2011

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A 19-year-old female patient had had a verrucous lesion protruding below her left knee since childhood. Although she had received cryosurgery several times at a local hospital, the lesion continued to enlarge gradually. She visited our hospital for a more precise diagnosis and treatment. Skin biopsy revealed a syringocystadenoma papilliferum. The patient underwent total resection of the tumor, after which no recurrence has been observed within one year. SCAP is a predilection for apocrine gland tumors of the head and neck, mostly in young people. Reports are infrequent other than for the head and neck.Skin Research, 10: 295-297, 2011

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A 58-year-old man had suffered a burn injury from the left lower leg to patella from briquette coal at 2 years old. Because a small ulcerative nodule on his left patella had grown rapidly for 5 months before visiting our hospital, the patient was referred to our department with a suspicion of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin arising from the burn scar. The mass reached 20×20cm in diameter and its surface was cauliflower-shaped with profuse exudates. The patient underwent amputation of the left leg above knee level and radical left inguinal lymph node dissection with staging of pT3N1M0 stage III according to UICC 2002. The tumor cells were moderately differentiated and we did not find direct invasion of lymph or blood vessels. Six weeks after surgery, sequential chest CT detected an increase consolidation on the right lung, suggesting lung metastasis. The combination of radical pneumectomy and sequential chemotherapy was temporarily effective to control metastatic lesions on the lung. Given the early detection of lung metastasis after the 1st operation, we suspected that metastasis to the lung had already occurred at the time of initial whole body screening. In this report, we compare the clinical characteristics between this case and 7 cases experienced in our department. In 4 cases, the tumor was over 10cm and we suppose that the size of the tumor is related to the prognosis. Moreover, recurrence, metastasis to lymph nodes, and distant metastasis were each detected in 1 case (12.5%), 3 cases (37.5%), and 2 cases (25%), respectively, and the prognosis of squamous cell carcinoma arising from a burn scar is considered to be worse than that of squamous cell carcinoma without a scar.Skin Research, 10: 298-304, 2011

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We reported three cases of neurothekeoma. Case 1 was a 9-year-old girl and case 2 was a 10-year-old girl, and both cases were recognized as a gradually growing asymptomatic single pinkish papule on their scalp. Case 3 was a 37-year-old woman who noticed a small skin-colored gradually growing papule on her left foot with slight tenderness. Histologically, all three cases showed almost identical findings, with the tumor mass localized in the dermis, a multi-lobulated mucinous appearance, and composed of spindle or epithelial cells with no atypical features; however, immunohistochemical findings showed MITF (＋) and S-100 (－) in case 1 and 2, while MITF (－) and S-100 (＋) in case 3. These results suggest that case 1 and 2 are so-called cellular type neurothekeoma, while case 3 is a classic type. To define whether neurothekeoma is a cellular or classic type, immunohistochemical investigation, such as S-100 and MITF, might be required.Skin Research, 10: 305-311, 2011

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A 66-year-old man with myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myelogenous leukemia first noticed a painful red swelling on the nail fold of his right middle finger on April 17, 2010. On April 19, swelling with redness and purpura developed in the whole of the middle finger, while his right elbow showed marked swelling. A CT scan revealed a palm-sized lymph node in his right elbow. The finger lesion was incised for drainage, and ceftriaxone and clindamycin were used as the first line treatment. Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was subsequently cultured in the lesional discharge, and vancomycin was added to the anti-bacterial treatment. Thereafter, swelling and purpura of the finger as well as lymph node swelling in his elbow quickly disappeared. It appears that community-acquired MRSA has recently been increasing. We discuss the distinct characteristics between community-acquired and hospital-acquired MRSA.Skin Research, 10: 312-315, 2011

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We carried out a six-week study in 40 children less than 6 years old with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in order to assess the safety and efficacy of a hypoallergenic skin care product series 2e (Douhet) baby plus, consisting of a foaming shampoo, foaming cleansing soap and milky lotion. The shampoo was applied to the scalp and hair, and the cleansing soap and lotion were applied to the face in this study. We confirmed that children with atopic dermatitis could use these products safely. Furthermore, daily skin care with these products improved dry skin, scratch marks, and skin barrier function. Our results suggest that these skin care products are safe for children with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis, and are useful to improve the skin condition.Skin Research, 10: 316-328, 2011

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