About the melanophore function of the pituitary gland

1936 ◽  
Vol 32 (8) ◽  
pp. 960-967
Author(s):  
G. M. Sharafutdinov

The normal skin color of a frog is easily changed by the environment. A frog, which is dark green in color in a humid dark environment, turns pale within 15-20 minutes. when transferring it to a dry, bright room.

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Pinar Aydin Ozturk ◽  
Seyhmus Kaya

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> “Human tail” is a congenital, benign anomaly in which a protrusion in the lumbosacrococcygeal caudal region is covered with skin. Arteriovenous hemangioma is a benign vascular lesion that may be congenital or acquired. We present a case in which a human tail was present with pathological findings of arteriovenous hemangioma. <b><i>Case Report:</i></b> A 6-month-old girl was born with a curved tail-shaped protrusion along her waistline. The distal portion was purple and had a solid consistency; the proximal portion was of normal skin color and had a soft consistency. No other abnormality was observed in the spinal area. Microscopic examination revealed congested, proliferated vascular structures in the fibrous stroma distally located under the multilayered squamous epithelium. In the proximal area, mature lipomatous tissue was observed. The lesion was diagnosed as arteriovenous hemangioma. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Our patient presented with the classic “human tail” appearance at an early age and in the lumbosacral region. Because of the pathological findings, surgery for the congenital anomaly had to be performed with extra caution.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 68
Author(s):  
Maya Vedamurthy ◽  
Vijaya Lakshmi Chelikani

Skin lightening involves various practices to bleach the skin or to reduce the normal skin tone. The practice of skin-lightening spans several continents throughout the centuries and cultures primarily aimed at improving the quality of life. The main aim of skin lightening in medieval times was to increase the sign of femininity and thereby its benefits. In India, skin lightening is preferred as a mark of class, caste, and richness. Dermatologists are faced with many problems dealing with requests to make skin fairer, while in the west, there is a problem dealing with skin conditions in skin of color. Many skin-lightening agents are sold as over-the-counter products and are popularized or advertised through magazines, social media, and celebrity influences. These products are self-prescribed and used rampantly despite the side effects. There is a strong equation between caste, social class, marital prospects, and occupational status based on skin color. Multinational skin-lightening cosmetic brands have a lucrative market. The most widely used topical agent in skin lightening is hydroquinone, while other non-hydroquinone agents are also frequently used. In general, combining skin-lightening agents have increased efficacy. Systemic agents such as glutathione, tranexamic acid, Vitamin C, and other miscellaneous agents are also popular. Several procedures ranging from chemical peels to lights and lasers are increasingly practiced for more effective skin lightening. In India, all skin-whitening creams can be bought without a prescription as OTC products. These products are not considered pharmaceutical products and are not subject to testing and regulations. In addition, the injudicious use of intravenous glutathione by unqualified personnel poses a threat to the lay public. In our role as dermatologists, we should develop a holistic approach in counseling and treating those patients on a quest for skin lightening.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Diane Hamburger ◽  
Michelle L. Goedken

BACKGROUND Lichen sclerosus is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune skin disease and the etiology is not well understood. It can affect the female vulvar genital region causing painful, pruritic symptoms that negatively impact a woman’s quality of life. The current primary treatment for vulvar lichen scleorsus (VLS) is topical steroids but a number of other treatments are being studied at this time. OBJECTIVE There are numerous recalcitrant VLS cases that require secondary forms of treatment. One of which is the use of fractional CO2 laser therapy, which functions by superficially vaporizing the epidermis creating a microablative effect while also inducing collagen remodeling within the dermis. This review aims to bring awareness to this secondary form of treatment for VLS. METHODS Four articles are reviewed that were published in the last year (2020-2021) evaluating the improvements in VLS symptoms after at least two treatments of fractionated CO2 laser therapy. RESULTS Three of the four articles included patients that suffered from previously treated VLS experiencing persistent symptoms. Only one of the studies was a randomized controlled trial. The follow-up time ranged from one month to sixteen months. Two studies showed statistically significant improvement in symptoms such as vaginal pain, itching, and dyspareunia. The other two studies reported improvement in these symptoms, however, the results were not statistically significant. Other symptoms noted to show improvement were erythema, leukoderma, and skin elasticity. After five to seven treatments with this CO2 laser, there was also a reduction in erosions and fissures as well as restoration of normal skin color and texture. Adverse events from this treatment included minor burning and blistering at the laser site. CONCLUSIONS While the recent published work suggests there may be a benefit to the use of fractionated CO2 laser therapy for recalcitrant VLS, only one of them was a randomized controlled trial. Future studies should be completed with this design. Until then, the treatment should follow guidelines with topical steroids being the primary form of management. CLINICALTRIAL none


Development ◽  
1971 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 443-458
Author(s):  
Richard A. Liversage ◽  
Liina Liivamagi

After autografting an organ-cultured anterior pituitary gland, maintained in culture for up to 27 days, into the tail or lower jaw of an hypophysectomized adult Diemictylus viridescens, the animals recovered and survived readily until fixation at 102 days (129 days post-hypophysectomy) and normal bilateral limb regeneration occurred. Also, restoration of normal skin colour, muscle tone, eating habits and behaviour was identical to control regenerate cases. In the sham control cases, a muscle fragment from the dismembered portion of the amputated left forelimb was placed in organ culture one day after hypophysectomy and then autografted into the host tail 7 days later. The majority of animals lived only up to 28 days post-hypophysectomy; they acquired the gross characteristics of adult hypophysectomized newts; and bilateral forelimb regeneration was thwarted. Newts that were hypophysectomized only, showed no gross signs of limb regeneration and died within 28 days. Organ culture and autoplastic implantation of the adenohypophysis permitted a study of the inhibition and then the concurrent restoration (left forelimb = old amputee) and initiation (right forelimb) of regenerative activity as well as normal advanced limb regeneration.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara B. Huff ◽  
Lorie D. Gottwald

Vitiligo is a common pigment disorder characterized by acquired loss of function or absence of melanocytes, leading to distinct areas of depigmentation. Physical exam reveals sharply demarcated, depigmented macules or patches on otherwise normal skin. Vitiligo can present at any age, in any skin color. There is no specific serologic marker for diagnosis, but patients often have other autoimmune problems. Treatment options are limited and are difficult given the fact that the pathogenesis of the disease is not well elucidated. We present the case of a 52-year-old woman with vitiligo for over 2 decades. The patient’s medical history reveals a lack of response to many different approaches. This case highlights the ability of apremilast, an FDA-approved drug for the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, to achieve repigmentation in a case a vitiligo that has been extremely recalcitrant.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 525 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara De Angelis ◽  
Fabrizio Orlandi ◽  
Margarida Fernandes Lopes Morais D’Autilio ◽  
Chiara Di Segni ◽  
Maria Giovanna Scioli ◽  
...  

The healing of venous and arterial ulcers is slow, and in some cases, they may not heal at all. This study aims to demonstrate the clinical advantage of Nevelia®, an innovative collagen dermal template substitute (DS) in venous and arterial chronic ulcers treatment. 35 patients affected by chronic vascular ulcers with a mean area of 35.1 ± 31.8 cm2 were treated with DS followed by autologous dermal epidermal graft (DEG). Follow-up was performed at 7-14-21 and 28 days after DS implant and 7-14-21 and 28 days after DEG. At 28 days after DEG, the mean values of Manchester Scar Scale was of 1.8 ± 0.7 for skin color, 1.6 ± 0.7 for skin contour, 1.7 ± 0.7 for distortion, and 1.7 ± 0.7 for skin texture, whereas skin was matte in 27 patients (77%) and shiny in the remaining eight cases (23%). Histological findings correlate with the clinical result showing a regenerated skin with reactive epidermal hyperplasia and dermal granulation tissue after two weeks (T1), and after three weeks (T2) a re-epithelialization and a formed new tissue architecture analogue to normal skin physiology. These data suggest that Nevelia® could be useful to treat chronic venous and arterial ulcers.


Genetika ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 427-432 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emina Mladenovic ◽  
Janos Berenji ◽  
Ksenija Hiel ◽  
Marija Kraljevic-Balalic ◽  
Vladislav Ognjanov ◽  
...  

Bottle gourd [Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl.] is one of the most interesting species in the plant kingdom, due to the diversity of fruit shapes, sizes and ways of use. Warty genotypes are rare compared to non warty genotypes. Considering unusual external appearance of warty fruits, we focused our research on the investigation of its inheritance patterns. By crossing different bottle gourd phenotypes, we studied the mode of inheritance and identified and verified genes responsible for the fruit skin color and warty phenotype segregation. Two parental lines, LAG 70 (with warty fruit of light green color) and LAG 71 (smooth fruit, variegated), F1, F2 and backcrosses populations along with both parents were evaluated. Genetic analysis indicated that warty fruit type is a result of monogenic inheritance, whereby the warty fruit type is dominant (Wt) trait over to the non-warty fruit type (wt). The mode of inheritance of fruit color was controlled by recessive epistasis, with a ratio of 9 variegated (A-, B-), 3 dark green colored (aaB-) and 4 light green colored (aabb) fruits in the F2 generation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S36-S37
Author(s):  
Bonnie C Carney ◽  
Taryn E Travis ◽  
Lauren T Moffatt ◽  
Laura S Johnson ◽  
Melissa M McLawhorn ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Currently, there are limited clinical treatments for dyschromia in burn hypertrophic scars (HTSs). Initial pilot work in a Duroc pig model showed that melanocyte quantity does not influence pigmentation. Regions of scar that are light or dark have equal numbers of melanocytes. This study aims to confirm melanocyte presence in regions of hypo- and hyper-pigmentation. If melanocytes are present, pigmentation stimulators may be a useful therapy. Methods Following IRB approval, patients with dyschromic HTSs were enrolled and demographic, injury and treatment details, and melanin indices by Skin Color Catch probes (SCC) were collected. Punch biopsies were taken of distinct regions of hyper-, hypo-, or normally pigmented scar and skin. Biopsies were processed to obtain epidermal sheets (ESs). A subset of ESs were stained using en face staining with melanocyte marker, S100b. Melanocytes were isolated from a different subset. Melanocytes were treated with NDP a-MSH, a pigmentation stimulator. mRNA was isolated from cells, and qRT-PCR was used to evaluate gene expression of melanin-synthetic genes, tyrosinase (TYR), tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TYRP1) and dopachrome tautomerase (DCT). Results 8 patients were enrolled and the cohort included patients with Fitzpatrick skin types 5 (n=6) and 3 (n=2). HTSs ranged from 4 to 395 months old and dyschromia developed mainly due to healing by re-epithelialization and was refractory to prior scar treatments. By SCC, regions of hyper-, hypo-, and normal pigmentation had significantly different melanin indices (864.9 ± 19.8 vs. 627.1 ± 30.3 vs. 786.5 ± 21.4, p&lt; 0.01). S100b en face staining showed that regions of hyper- and hypo-pigmentation contained the same number of melanocytes (14.6 ± 3.1 vs. 14.5 ± 3.2 melanocytes/HPF (n=5, p=0.99), but these cells had different dendricity, or activity (3.9 ± 0.5 vs. 0.4 ± 0.2 dendrites/cell (n=5, p&lt; 0.0001). When hypo-pigmented melanocytes were treated with NDP a-MSH, cells produced melanin visible by bright-field microscopy (n=3). TYR, TYRP1, and DCT gene expression were upregulated in treated cells compared to controls. Conclusions While traditionally, it may be thought that hypo-pigmented regions of burn HTS display this phenotype because of the absence of pigment-producing cells, these data show that melanocytes are present in these scar regions. The cells are present, but they are inactive in pigment production. By treating the cells with a pigment stimulator, cells can be induced to re-pigment. Applicability of Research to Practice Patients were asked, on a scale of 1–10 with 1 being “no, not at all”, and 10 being “yes, very much”, “Is the scar color different from the color of your normal skin at present?” All patients rated this question as 10/10, indicating that scar dyschromia is a pervasive problem. Patients’ quality of life may be improved with the development of treatments for hypopigmentation.


Author(s):  
Shaghayegh ZOKAEI ◽  
Dariush D. FARHUD ◽  
Mohammad KEYKHAEI ◽  
Marjan ZARIF YEGANEH ◽  
Hoda RAHIMI ◽  
...  

Background: The color of the skin is highly heritable but can be influenced by the environments and endocrine factors. Many other factors, sometimes destructive, are also involved in the formation of skin color, which sometimes affects pigmentation patterns. Vitiligo is an autoimmune hypopigmentation painless disorder with appearance of white patches and psychological effects on patients. It is a disease in which melanocytes of the skin are destroyed in certain areas; therefore depigmentation appears. Methods: We studied more than 60 articles. Several therapeutic methods have been used to return the color of skin in vitiligo. These methods include non-invasive treatment and surgical techniques. Among all these therapies, cell transplantation is an advanced procedure in regenerative medicine. Extraction of melanocytes from normal skin and then their cultivation in the laboratory provides a large number of these cells, the transplanting of which to depigmentation areas stimulates the site to irreversibly produce melanin. Results: The transplantation methods of these cells have been evolved over many years and the methods of producing blister have been changed to the injection of these cells to the target sites. Conclusion: In this review, autologous cultured melanocyte transplantation has been considered to be the most viable, safe, and effective method in the history of vitiligo treatments.


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