Hair graying is a common sign of aging resulting from complex regulation of melanogenesis. Currently, there is no medical treatment available for hair repigmentation. In this article we review the literature on medication-induced hair repigmentation, discuss the potential mechanisms of action, and review the quality of the literary data. To date, there have been 27 studies discussing medication-induced gray hair repigmentation, including 6 articles on gray hair repigmentation as a primary objective, notably with psoralen treatment or vitamin supplementation, and 21 reports on medication-induced gray hair repigmentation as an incidental finding. Medications noted in the literature include anti-inflammatory medications (thalidomide, lenalidomide, adalimumab, acitretin, etretinate, prednisone, cyclosporin, cisplatinum, interferon-α, and psoralen), stimulators of melanogenesis (latanoprost, erlotinib, imatinib, tamoxifen, and levodopa), vitamins (calcium pantothenate and <i>para</i>-amino benzoic acid), a medication that accumulates in tissues (clofazimine), and a medication with an undetermined mechanism (captopril). Diffuse repigmentation of gray hair can be induced by certain medications that inhibit inflammation or stimulate melanogenesis. There is also low-quality evidence that some vitamin B complex supplementation can promote gray hair darkening. While these compounds are not currently indicated for the treatment of gray hair, their mechanisms shed light on targets for future medications for hair repigmentation.

Genital allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is an uncommon disorder, yet it severely impairs the quality of life for both men and women. Because of cultural taboos, many patients self-treat and delay proper diagnosis before presenting to a provider. Diagnosis is further confounded by irritant contact dermatitis and other genital dermatoses, which can predispose to skin barrier dysfunction and allergen penetration. Genital ACD can present acutely with erythematous erosions and pruritus or chronically with lichenification. Patch testing helps determine the diagnosis and provide relief for the patient. Topical medications, including local anesthetics and corticosteroids, are the most common genital allergens. Other typical allergens include fragrances, preservatives, adhesives, dyes, and rubber products. Less commonly considered allergens include herbs, spices, and topical vehicle components. Here, we review the most common allergens for both men and women, discuss important patch-testing panels, and recommend safe products for patients with genital ACD.

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Compacting the genome to various degrees influences processes that use DNA as a template, such as gene transcription and replication. This project was aimed at learning more about the cellular mechanisms that control genome compaction. Posttranslational modifications of proteins involved in genome condensation are emerging as potentially important points of regulation. To help elucidate protein modifications and how they affect the function of condensation proteins, we investigated the phosphorylation of the chromatin protein called Hhp1 in the ciliated protozoan Tetrahymena thermophila. This is one of the first functional investigations of these modifications of a nonhistone chromatin condensation protein that acts on the ciliate genome, and discoveries will aid in identifying common, evolutionarily conserved strategies that control the dynamic compaction of genomes.