CPR5 positively regulates pattern-triggered immunity via a mediator protein

Plant cells possess a two-layered immune system consisting of pattern-triggered immunity(PTI)and effector-triggered immunity(ETI), mediated by cell surface pattern-recognition receptors and intracellular nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat receptors(NLRs), respectively. The CONSTITUTIVE EXPRESSION OF PR GENES 5(CPR5) nuclear pore complex protein negatively regulates ETI, including ETI-associated hypersensitive response. Here, we show that CPR5 is essential for the activation of various PTI responses in Arabidopsis, such as resistance to the non-adapted bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 hrc C-. In a forward-genetic screen for suppressors of cpr5, we identified the mediator protein MED4. Mutation of MED4 in cpr5 greatly restored the defective PTI of cpr5. Our findings reveal that CPR5 plays opposite roles in regulating PTI and ETI, and genetically regulates PTI via MED4.

Dermoscopy in China: current status and future prospective

Objective: Dermoscopy is a useful technique for improving the diagnostic accuracy of various types of skin disorders. In China, dermoscopy has been widely accepted, and domestic researchers have made tremendous progress in the field of dermoscopy. The main purpose of this review is to summarize the current status of dermoscopy in China and identify its future directions. Data sources: Articles included in this review were obtained by searching the following databases: Wanfang, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, PubMed, and the Web of Science. We focused on research published before 2019 with keywords including dermoscopy, dermoscopic, dermoscope and trichoscopy. Study selection: A total of 50 studies were selected. Of these studies, 20 studies were in Chinese and 30 in English, research samples of all the studies were collected from Chinese populations. Results: Since 2000, more than 380 articles about dermoscopy have been published in domestic or foreign journals. Dermoscopy can improve the diagnostic accuracy of neoplastic diseases, evaluating the therapeutic effect of treatment, and determining the treatment endpoint, and it can also assist in the differential diagnosis of inflammatory diseases and in the assessment of the severity of the disease. In addition, researches about the applications of dermoscopy during surgical treatment have been published. Training courses aiming to improve the diagnostic ability of dermatologists, either face-to-face or online, have been offered. The Chinese Skin Image Database, launched in 2017 as a work platform for dermatologists, has promoted the development of dermoscopy in China. Computer-aided diagnostic systems based on the Chinese population are ready for use. In the future, cooperation, resource sharing, talent development, image management, and computer-aided diagnosis will be important directions for the development of dermoscopy in China. Conclusion: Dermoscopy has been widely used and developed in China, however, it still needs to address more challenges in the future.

A double-blind,randomized,placebo-and positive-controlled phase III trial of 1% benvitimod cream in mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis

Background:Benvitimod cream,a novel synthetic small molecule,was effective in treating mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis.We conducted a phase III clinical trial to assess the efficacy and safety of benvitimod cream in patients with mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis.Methods:We randomly assigned 686 patients(2:1:1)to receive 1%benvitimod cream,0.005%calcipotriol ointment or placebo twice a day for 12 weeks.The primary efficacy end points were the percentage of patients with a 75%or greater reduction from baseline in the psoriasis area and severity index(PASI 75)score and with a score of 0 or 1 in static physician’s global assessment(sPGA)at week 12.Results:The results showed that 50.4%of patients in the benvitimod group achieved PASI 75,which was significantly higher than that in the calcipotriol(38.5%,P<0.05)and placebo(13.9%,P<0.05)groups.The proportion of patients achieving an sPGA score 0 or 1 was 66.3%in the benvitimod group and 63.9%in the calcipotriol group,which were both significantly higher than that in the placebo group(34%,P<0.05).In the long-term follow-up study,50.8%of patients experienced recurrence.After retreatment with 1%benvitimod,73.3%of patients achieved an sPGA score of 0 or 1 again at week 52.Adverse events included application site irritation,follicular papules,and contact dermatitis.No systemic adverse reactions were reported.Conclusion:During this 12-week study,benvitimod cream was demonstrated with high effectiveness and safety in patients with mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis.

Artificial intelligence in dermatology: past, present, and future

Artificial intelligence (AI) had been first coined at a famous Dartmouth College conference in 1956. AI is gradually interrelated with all disciplines, and also permeates all aspects of the medical field. In the early 1970s, medical researchers discovered the applicability of AI in life sciences.[1] AI can play a role in many aspects, such as medical image recognition and auxiliary diagnosis,[2] biotechnology,[3] drug research and development,[4] etc. Currently, medical image recognition is the most widely used.

Clinical and dermoscopic features of livedoid vasculopathy

To the Editor:Livedoid vasculopathy(LV)is a thromboocclusive disorder involving superficial and mid-dermis vessels,characterized by painful erythematous or purpuric macules or papules,small crusted ulcers,and porcelainwhite atrophic scars that remain after several months.[1,2]Dermoscopy is a non-invasive and effective image analysis technology[3]that can aid dermatologists in visualization of the pigmentation pattern and vascular structure,as well as other morphologic features of the epidermis and dermis.This study was performed to identify the clinical and dermoscopic features of LV in patients with LV who were treated in our hospital from October 2017 to August 2018.The study was approved by the Ethical Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University(No.2018-YB-05).The study was performed in accordance with the established guidelines and regulations.We have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms.In the form,the patients have given their consents for their images and other clinical information to be reported in the journal.

Reflectance confocal microscopy characteristics for melanocytic nevi

To the Editor: Melanocytic nevi are a common benign tumor disease in dermatology and can occur in all ages and parts of the skin surface. There are different clinical manifestations in pigmented nevus skin lesions. It is difficult to distinguish other diseases which have similar clinical manifestations of pigmented nevus if medical diagnosis is based solely on the color, shape, or clinical experience of the lesion. Nevi are mainly divided into three categories: junctional (melanocytes confined to the epidermis only), intra-dermal (confined to the dermis only), and compound (both an epidermal and a dermal component). The relationships between these three different types of nevi and what factors contribute to the formation of one type vs. another are still unclear.[1]

Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis in China(2020)#

Atopic dermatitis(AD)is a common disease clinically characterized by chronic recurrent eczematous lesions,dry skin,and pruritus.AD can negatively impact patients’quality of life.The prevalence of AD in China has been increasing during the past few decades.Based on the most recent advances in the treatment of AD,we updated the 2014 version of the Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis in China regarding the definition,epidemiology,pathogenesis,clinical classification,diagnosis,prevention,and treatment of AD.