Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, wearing PPE can induce skin damage such as erythema, pruritus, erosion, and ulceration among others. Although the skin microbiome is considered important for skin health, the change of the skin microbiome after wearing PPE remains unknown.Objective The present study aimed to characterize the diversity and structure of bacterial and fungal flora on skin surfaces of healthcare workers wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic using metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS).Methods A total of 10 Chinese volunteers were recruited and the microbiome of their face, hand, and back were analysed before and after wearing PPE. Moreover, VISIA was used to analyse skin features. Results Results of alpha bacterial diversity showed that there was statistically significant decrease in alpha diversity indice in the skin samples from face, hand, and three sites after wearing PPE as compared with the indice in the skin samples before wearing PPE. Further, the results of evaluated alpha fungal diversity show that there was a statistically significant decrease in alpha diversity indices in the skin samples from hand after wearing PPE as compared with the indices in the skin samples before wearing PPE (P < 0.05). Results of the current study found that the main bacteria on the face, hand, and back skin samples before wearing the PPE were Propionibacterium spp. (34.04%), Corynebacterium spp. (13.12%), and Staphylococcus spp. (38.07%). The main bacteria found on the skin samples after wearing the PPE were Staphylococcus spp. (31.23%), Xanthomonas spp. (26.21%), and Cutibacterium spp. (42.59%). The fungal community composition was similar in three skin sites before and after wearing PPE. ConclusionIt was evident that wearing PPE may affect the skin microbiota, especially bacteria. Therefore, it was evident that the symbiotic microbiota may reflect the skin health of medical workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Objective The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the macrophage migration inhibiting factor ( MIF ), interferon-induced Helicase C domain 1 ( IFIH1 ), interleukin-6 ( IL6 ) genes, circulating levels with non-segmental vitiligo (NSV) susceptibility in the Chinese population, and to analyze the relationships between gene polymorphisms and clinical characteristics of vitiligo. Methods In this study, genotyping was conducted in 155 patients with NSV and 117 unaffected controls using polymerase chain reaction and snapshot technique. Serum concentrations were determined by ELISA kit. Results There were strong associations between IFIH1 H843R and IL6 -572G/C polymorphisms and NSV susceptibility ( p = 0.013; p = 0.009). In contrast to previous studies, we found no significant difference in the MIF -173G/C polymorphism between the two groups. In addition, the frequency of allelic distribution for MIF -173G/C in patients with active NSV was significantly higher than stable NSV ( p = 0.011), and IFIH1 H843R with early-onset (≤ 20), active or family history of NSV was significantly higher than late-onset (> 20), stable or no family history of NSV ( p = 0.033; p = 0.045; p = 0.039). Serum concentrations of MIF were higher in patients with active NSV, serum IFIH1 and IL6 concentrations were related to the presence of polymorphisms in patients with NSV ( p = 0.009; p = 0.011). Conclusion Our results suggested that IFIH1 H843R and IL6 -572G/C gene polymorphisms and expression levels are obviously correlated with the onset of NSV. MIF -173G/C allele and serum concentrations may be associated with active NSV, and IFIH1 H843R allele may be associated with youth, active or family history of NSV.
Background To investigate the clinical features, pathological features and prognostic factors of cutaneous extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (CENKTL). Methods A total of 20 cases with CENKTL from February 2013 to November 2021 were analysed retrospectively. Results The patients included 15 men and five women, and their ages ranged from 19 to 92 (median age of 61) years. The most common lesions were on the extremities, followed by the trunk. Histopathological examination showed atypical lymphocyte infiltrate in dermis and subcutaneous fat. The tumour tissue showed vascular proliferation, vascular occlusion, and coagulation necrosis. In situ hybridisation revealed that 20 patients were positive for Epstein–Barr virus-coding ribonucleic acid. Immunohistochemistry showed that the tumour cells were positive for CD3 (18/20 and 90%), CD56 (19/20 and 95%), T-cell intracellular antigen (TIA-1) (13/14 and 92.9%) and CD20 (5/20, 25%). About 20 patients were positive for Ki-67 with values of 30–90%. A total of 11 of the 20 patients died, and two patients were lost to follow-up. The 2-year overall survival was 24%, and the median overall survival was 17 months. Univariate analysis revealed that involvement of lymph nodes (P = 0.042) correlated with worse survival. Limitation This is a retrospective study design and has a limited number of patients. Conclusion CENKTL is rare and has a poor prognosis. Diagnosis is challenging due to non-specific clinical symptoms and histopathology results. A comprehensive judgement should be made based on related clinical manifestations and histopathological and molecular examination. Lymph node involvement is an independent prognostic factor for CENKTL.
Acne vulgaris (AV) is a common chronic inflammatory skin disorder of the pilosebaceous unit among adolescents and is characterized by comedones, papules, pustules, and nodules. 1 The pathogenesis of AV involves a complex multifactorial process, including altered sebum secretion, excessive follicular keratinization, Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) proliferation, neuroendocrine dysregulation, and inflammation. 2,3 Additionally, genetic involvement has already been confirmed by multiple twins-based and family-based studies on acne. 4 Acne can cause disfigurement and related psychological comorbidity on patients. 5 Despite being a common disease, the treatment of acne is still tricky and unsatisfactory. To seek better treatment strategies, a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying the development of AV is urgent.Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of genes refer to the substitution of a single nucleotide at a specific position in the
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