Brown-black Pigment Research Articles

How frequently are insects wounded in the wild? A case study using Drosophila melanogaster.

Wounding occurs across multicellular organisms. Wounds can affect host mobility and reproduction, with ecological consequences for competitive interactions and predator-prey dynamics. Wounds are also entry points for pathogens. An immune response is activated upon injury, resulting in the deposition of the brown-black pigment melanin in insects. Despite the abundance of immunity studies in the laboratory and the potential ecological and evolutionary implications of wounding, the prevalence of wounding in wild-collected insects is rarely systematically explored. We investigated the prevalence and potential causes of wounds in wild-collected Drosophilidae flies. We found that 31% of Drosophila melanogaster were wounded or damaged. The abdomen was the most frequently wounded body part, and females were more likely to have melanized patches on the ventral abdomen, compared with males. Encapsulated parasitoid egg frequency was approximately 10%, and just under 1% of Drosophilidae species had attached mites, which also caused wounds. Wounding is prevalent in D. melanogaster, likely exerting selection pressure on host immunity for two reasons: on a rapid and efficient wound repair and on responding efficiently to opportunistic infections. Wounding is thus expected to be an important driver of immune system evolution and to affect individual fitness and population dynamics.

Exploring ion mobility mechanisms in poly indolequinone polymers: a case study on black soldier fly melanin

Black soldier fly (BSF) melanin is a new supply of the brown-black pigment eumelanin. Given that eumelanin is a model bioelectronic material for applications such as medical devices and sensors, understanding BSF melanin’s electrical properties is important to confirm its viability as an advanced material. Presented here is a systematic, hydration dependent alternating current study of BSF melanin utilising both H2O and D2O vapours. There is a clear difference between the vapours, enabling a thorough analysis including Nyquist plots with model circuit analysis, broad band dielectric spectroscopic modelling as well as applying the Trukhan model to understand free ion concentration and mobility changes as a function of hydration. We find that BSF melanin behaves similarly to previous reports on synthetic systems, and the analysis here sheds additional light on potential charge transport changes. Significantly, a key finding is that there are two different mobility mechanisms for ion transport depending on hydration.

Tyrosinase enzyme purification and immobilization from Pseudomonas sp. EG22 using cellulose coated magnetic nanoparticles: characterization and application in melanin production

Melanin is a brown-black pigment with significant roles in various biological processes. The tyrosinase enzyme catalyzes the conversion of tyrosine to melanin and has promising uses in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. This research aims to purify and immobilize the tyrosinase enzyme from Pseudomonas sp.EG22 using cellulose-coated magnetic nanoparticles. Various techniques were utilized to examine the synthesized nanoparticles, which exhibited a spherical shape with an average diameter of 12 nm and a negative surface potential of − 55.7 mV with a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.260. Comparing the immobilized magnetic tyrosinase enzyme with the free enzyme, the study’s findings showed that the immobilized tyrosinase enzyme had optimal activity at a pH of 6 and a temperature of 35 °C, and its activity increased as the concentration of tyrosine increased. The study investigated the antibacterial and anticancer bioactivity of the enzyme’s melanin product and found that it exhibited potential antibacterial activity against a multi-drug resistant strain including S. aureus and E. coli. The produced melanin also demonstrated the potential to decrease cell survival and induce apoptosis in initiation cells.

Streptomyces fuscus sp. nov., a brown-black pigment producing actinomycete isolated from dry mudflat sand.

A novel Gram-stain-positive, aerobic actinobacterial strain, designated GXMU-J15T, was isolated from dry mudflat sand. A polyphasic approach was employed for its taxonomic characterization. The strain developed extensively branched yellowish white to light yellow substrate mycelia and white aerial mycelia, and produced smooth cylindrical spores in a loose straight spore chain on International Streptomyces Project 2-7 agar media. Strain GXMU-J15T grew at 20-50 °C (optimum, 35 °C), at pH 5.0-8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and in the presence of 0-8 % (w/v) NaCl. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain GXMU-J15T represents a member of the genus Streptomyces. Strain GXMU-J15T showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Streptomyces lusitanus CGMCC 4.1745T (99.1 %) and Streptomyces thermocarboxydus CGMCC 4.1883T (98.8 %). Phylogenetic tree analysis based on multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) and whole genome sequence construction revealed that strain GXMU-J15T was most closely related to Streptomyces cupreus PSKA01T, Streptomyces cinnabarinus DSM 40467T and Streptomyces davaonensis JCM 4913T. The MLSA and genome-to-genome distances between strain GXMU-J15T and its relatives were 0.0418, 0.0443 and 0.0485 and 0.1237, 0.1188 and 0.1179, respectively. The results of orthologous average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization analysis corroborated the results of the MLSA and whole genome sequence evolution analysis, indicating that the novel isolate represents a distinct species of the genus Streptomyces. The whole-cell sugars of strain GXMU-J15T were xylose, glucose and galactose. The characteristic diamino acid in the cell-wall hydrolysate was ll-diaminopimelic acid. The lipids contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerides, phosphatidylcholine, two phospholipids of an unknown structure containing glucosamine, one unknown phospholipid and two unknown lipids. The major cellular fatty acid components were iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. The main respiratory quinone types were MK-9(H6) and MK-9(H8). The whole genome size of strain GXMU-J15T was 8.68 Mbp, with 71.23 mol% G+C content. Genomic analysis indicated that strain GXMU-J15T has the potential to synthesize polyketides, terpenes and a series of important antibiotics besides the gene cluster for melanin synthesis. Based on these genotypic and phenotypic data, strain GXMU-J15T is proposed to represent a new species of the genus Streptomyces named Streptomyces fuscus sp. nov. The type strain is GXMU-J15T (=MCCC 1K08211T=JCM 35917T).

An Extremely Rare Case of Renal Collision Tumor Comprised of Hyperpigmented Microcystic Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma and Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma

Abstract Introduction/Objective Renal collision tumors are rare lesions defined as the coexistence of two adjacent but histologically distinct tumors with sharp borders forming a single lesion. A combination of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (ChRCC) and papillary renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is extremely rare. Here we report a collision tumor of hyperpigmented microcystic ChRCC, an uncommon variant of ChRCC, and papillary RCC. To our knowledge, it is the first reported case of this particular combination. Methods/Case Report A 70-year-old male with aortic stenosis presented with dyspnea and renal insufficiency. A renal mass was discovered incidentally. MRI characterized the left renal mass as 7.2 cm and bilobed. Radical nephrectomy was performed. Grossly, the tumor was located in the upper pole and consisted of two distinct components separated by fibrous tissue: a 5.4 cm black/orange mottled tumor and an adjacent 5.0 cm yellow lobulated tumor. Histologically, the larger tumor displayed a microcystic and solid pattern comprised of large cells with pale cytoplasm, hyperchromatic wrinkled nuclei, perinuclear halos, prominent cell membranes, and extensive intracellular and extracellular brown-black pigment, consistent with hyperpigmented microcystic ChRCC. The adjacent tumor showed diagnostic features of papillary RCC including papillae with fibrovascular cores lined by columnar cells with low nuclear grade, abundant macrophages, and foci of psammomatous calcifications. The hyperpigmented microcystic ChRCC was positive for CD117 and negative for Melan-A. Papillary RCC was strongly positive for Cytokeratin7 and Vimentin. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) N/A Conclusion Meticulous examination of the histologic features, aided by immunohistochemistry, can generate an accurate diagnosis of collision tumor and direct to the appropriate treatment choice.

Eumelanin-based multisensory platform: A case of study for photolithographic patterning

Eumelanin, the most abundant brown-black pigment found in humans, is an ideal candidate for bioelectronics and eco-design technologies due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and hydration-dependent conductivity. Here, we validate the use of standard photolithography for integrating synthetic eumelanin into robust solid-state device platforms without unconventional methodologies. By combining AFM, Raman, and XPS with DC and AC electrical measurements, we have shown that eumelanin's film topography, chemical composition, and charge transport are not affected by the pattern process. Based on these findings, we explore interdigitated electrode structures for pH, humidity, and contact sensing system aiming at miniaturized wearable technologies for human healthcare monitoring.

Melanin, the What, the Why and the How: An Introductory Review for Materials Scientists Interested in Flexible and Versatile Polymers.

Today, western society is facing challenges to create new medical technologies to service an aging population as well as the ever-increasing e-waste of electronic devices and sensors. A key solution to these challenges will be the use of biomaterials and biomimetic systems. One material that has been receiving serious attention for its biomedical and device applications is eumelanin. Eumelanin, or commonly known as melanin, is nature’s brown-black pigment and is a poly-indolequinone biopolymer, which possess unique physical and chemical properties for material applications. Presented here is a review, aimed at polymer and other materials scientists, to introduce eumelanin as a potential material for research. Covered here are the chemical and physical structures of melanin, an overview of its unique physical and chemical properties, as well as a wide array of applications, but with an emphasis on device and sensing applications. The review is then finished by introducing interested readers to novel synthetic protocols and post synthesis fabrication techniques to enable a starting point for polymer research in this intriguing and complex material.

Common dermatological conditions in skin of colour

Skin colour is mainly dependent on the presence of melanin, the pigment that protects the skin from ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun​[1]​. There are two types of melanin: eumelanin, a brown-black pigment; and pheomelanin, a yellow-red pigment​[1]​. Darker skin possesses more eumelanin than pheomelanin, whereas the reverse is true for lighter skin​[1]​. Melanin is produced by […]

Proteomic analysis on the regulation of DOPA-melanin synthesis in Talaromyces marneffei

BackgroundYeast form of T.marneffei can produce DOPA-melanin which perform an important role in the pathogen surviving in macrophage. So far, the proteomic associated with melanin synthesis remain unclearly in T.marneffei. Methods: The whole yeast cell proteins were extracted from T.marneffei cultured with or without l-DOPA. Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis combined with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, distinguished proteins were identified between T.marneffei cultured with or without l-DOPA. Furthermore, geldanamycin were used to assess the inhibition effect on T.marneffei melanin production in vitro. Results: 16 distinguished proteins were identified in DOPA-melanized yeast cells, as well as 15 triple-up-expressed proteins and 7 triple-down-expressed proteins in comparison with non DOPA-melanized yeast cells. Of note, proteins differentially expressed proteins were predominantly heat shock proteins. HSP90/60/70 genes expressions increased significantly demonstrated by q-RT-PCR, which was consistent with the proteomics changes. GO analysis showed that the majority of differentially expressed proteins including HSPs(especially HSP90) were found enriched in stress response, cellular process, protein folding, stimuli response and biological process. KEGG pathway analysis showed that proteins were enriched predominantly in phagosome. HSP90 inhibitor(Geldanamycin) inhibited the brown-black pigment production of T.marneffei yeast grown on brain heart infusion agar, as well as the inhibition effect was observed by transmission electron microscope. Conclusions: The results demonstrates that HSP90 palys an essential role in T.marneffei DOPA-melanin synthesis pathway.

Probing the heterogeneous structure of eumelanin using ultrafast vibrational fingerprinting

Eumelanin is a brown-black biological pigment with sunscreen and radical scavenging functions important to numerous organisms. Eumelanin is also a promising redox-active material for energy conversion and storage, but the chemical structures present in this heterogeneous pigment remain unknown, limiting understanding of the properties of its light-responsive subunits. Here, we introduce an ultrafast vibrational fingerprinting approach for probing the structure and interactions of chromophores in heterogeneous materials like eumelanin. Specifically, transient vibrational spectra in the double-bond stretching region are recorded for subsets of electronic chromophores photoselected by an ultrafast excitation pulse tuned through the UV-visible spectrum. All subsets show a common vibrational fingerprint, indicating that the diverse electronic absorbers in eumelanin, regardless of transition energy, contain the same distribution of IR-active functional groups. Aggregation of chromophores diverse in oxidation state is the key structural property underlying the universal, ultrafast deactivation behavior of eumelanin in response to photoexcitation with any wavelength.

Melanin-Based Thin Films for Sustainable Electronic Devices

Melanin is a natural (bio-sourced) and bio compatible material, attracting attention because of its physicochemical properties. Melanin is a family of pigments and the brown-black eumelanin pigment is part of this. It can be found in skin, hair, eyes, and brain [1-2]. Considering its quinone-based and conjugated molecular structure, eumelanin is an interesting candidate for bioelectronics. Transport physics in eumelanin-based thin films and pellets need to be better understood to optimize its technological applications. The main challenge for the use of eumelanin in bioelectronics is to increase the conductivity and detailed study is required to clarify and quantify the electronic and protonic contribution to charge transport.High quality thin films of eumelanin material on substrates such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) and FTO (Fluorine Tin Oxide) substrates were prepared to study the electronic transport properties of the biopigment. The electrodeposition method, spray pyrolysis, and spin coating were used for the preparation of uniform thin films. The structural, optical, and morphological properties of these thin films were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), field emission electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). For the metal contacts both top contacts using a through shadow masking and photolithography were used. Preliminary results on the dependence of electronic transport on temperature, relative humidity, and interelectrode distance range were collected.Reference[1] Julia Wunsche, Yingxin Deng, Prajwal Kumar, Eduardo Di Mauro, Erik Josberger, Jonathan Sayago, Alessandro Pezzella, Francesca Soavi, Fabio Cicoira, Marco Rolandi, and Clara Santato, Chem. Mater. 2015,27, 436−442.[2] Prajwal Kumar, Eduardo Di Mauro, Shiming Zhang, Alessandro Pezzella, Francesca Soavi, Clara Santato and Fabio Cicoira, J. Mater. Chem. C, 2016, 4, 9516.

Uveal Melanoma in an Aradi Goat (Capra aegagrus hircus)

A 6-year-old Aradi goat (Capra aegagrus hircus) was admitted with glaucoma of the left eye. Blood clots and a yellow exudate covered the cornea and sclera. Ocular examination found glaucoma, exophthalmos and a distorted iris. Because of the blindness and pain, surgical enucleation of the left eye was performed. Gross examination through the mid-sagittal section of the enucleated globe revealed a pigmented mass occupying the anterior chamber. It had invaded the peripheral cornea and extended to the dorsal iris. Histologically, the mass was composed of pleomorphic, epithelioid neoplastic cells with high-grade cellular atypia. Scattered cells contained brown-black pigment. Bleached sections demonstrated 6-7 mitoses per 10 high-power fields and the cornea displayed squamous metaplasia resembling that of skin. Immunohistochemistry revealed positive immunoreactivity of the tumour cells for vimentin, S100 and melan-A, confirming the diagnosis of uveal melanoma. This finding should be included in the differential diagnosis of ocular tumours causing glaucoma in goats.

Review on Melanin from Marine Actinomycetes

Marine microorganisms have become an important source of pharmacologically active metabolites. It is an important part of the natural products which includes secondary metabolites, antimicrobial, antitumor, anitoxidant and antiviral compounds. For the past few decades, marine organisms have been the focus of a worldwide effort for the discovery of novel natural products. Actinomycetes from the marine environment one of the novel bioactive producer. The brown-black pigment has been referred to as 'melanin ' and as ' melanin like' pigment. It has been shown to protect micro-organisms against U-V radiation, enzymatic lysis, oxidants and killing by alveolar macrophages. Melanin has an immense biotechnological application, but understanding the importance and novelty of melanin from marine actinomycete is very little. At this juncture, this review briefly describing the importance melanin from marine actinomycetes.

Dermoscopic Pigment Network: Characteristics in Non-melanocytic Disorders.

Brown-black pigment network is the hallmark dermoscopic feature of melanocytic lesions. Several non-melanocytic disorders also exhibit a pigment network as one of their main or useful dermoscopic diagnostic features. This article presents a compilation of such disorders to the readers describing their essential dermoscopic features with an emphasis on the characteristics of the pigment network exhibited by them.

Characterization of melanin and optimal conditions for pigment production by an endophytic fungus, Spissiomyces endophytica SDBR-CMU319.

Melanin is a natural pigment that is produced by filamentous fungi. In this study, the endophytic species, Spissiomyces endophytica (strain SDBR-CMU319), produced a brown-black pigment in the mycelia. Consequently, the pigment was extracted from the dried fungal biomass. This was followed by pigment purification, characterization and identification. Physical and chemical characteristics of the pigment showed acid precipitation, alkali solubilization, decolorization with oxidizing agents, and insolubility in most organic solvents and water. The pigment was confirmed as melanin based on ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectra analyses. The analyses of the elemental composition indicated that the pigment possessed a low percentage of nitrogen, and therefore, was not 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine melanin. Inhibition studies involving specific inhibitors, both tricyclazole and phthalide, and suggest that fungal melanin could be synthesized through the 1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene pathway. The optimum conditions for fungal pigment production from this species were investigated. The highest fungal pigment yield was observed in glucose yeast extract peptone medium at an initial pH value of 6.0 and at 25°C over three weeks of cultivation. This is the first report on the production and characterization of melanin obtained from the genus Spissiomyces.

Melanin-Mediated Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles and Their Affinity Towards Tyrosinase

The bacterial strain Pseudomonas sp. SSA has capacity to produce extracellular melanin that sequesters heavy metals. The brown-black melanin pigment was observed in the culture liquid and mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The AgNPs were characterized using UV–visible, dynamic light scattering, energy dispersive X-ray, Fourier transform infrared and surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy, scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction analysis. The synthesized nanoparticles were found to be spherical in shape with size in the range of 14–30 nm and showed high antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria and fungi. These nanoparticles revealed binding affinity towards fungal and human tyrosinases with KD 4.601 × 10–10 and 2.816 × 10–5 M, respectively. In addition, produced nanoparticles did not show any toxic effect towards HeLa cells up to 20 μg/mL. These nanoparticles could find application in medicine and cosmetics due to their enzyme inhibition and antimicrobial activities.

Pseudomelanosis Duodeni: Is it Just an Incidental Finding?

Pseudomelanosis duodeni (PD) is a rare condition that when seen on endoscopy can promote apprehension. With the increasing rise of endoscopy on the aging patient population, it is important to be familiar with the characteristics and natural history of this condition. A 67 year old female with history of Diabetes Mellitus and Heart Failure presented with gradual fatigue. She denied abdominal pain, hematemesis, hematochezia or melena. Medication history was notable for ferrous sulphate and hydralazine. Examination was normal. Labs showed a Hb 5 g/dl, MCV 70.7 fl, ferritin 25 ng/ml, serum iron 30 ug/dL, iron saturation 7% and a TIBC 401mcg/dl. The patient received a blood transfusion and GI was consulted. Endoscopy showed diffuse black speckled mucosa in the esophagus, stomach and duodenum (Fig 1&2). Duodenal Biopsies were taken with a cold forceps. Results showed pigment deposition in macrophages of the lamina propria (Fig 3). Staining identified the pigment to be iron and PD was diagnosed. PD is a rare condition of uncertain significance, first described in 1976. Its true incidence and prevalence is yet to be established. PD occurs predominantly in females in the 6th-7th decades of life. The term “pseudomelanosis” was first introduced as initially the pigment was interpreted as melanin. However it has now been demonstrated to be ferrous sulfide. PD is typically found incidentally on endoscopy and does not have any hallmark clinical features. It has been associated with end stage renal disease, diabetes, multiple medications and gastrointestinal bleeding. Our patient was on iron and hydralazine both of which have been linked to PD. The most common site involved is the duodenum with esophageal and stomach involvement even rarer. Typically on endoscopy the proximal duodenal mucosa is speckled with multiple flat, small dark spots. Histologically these lesions will show macrophages laden with a characteristic brown-black granular pigment within the lamina propria of the villi on microscopy. Histochemical stains for iron (Perl's prussian blue) or melanin (Masson-Fontana) may be positive however this is uneven and unpredictable. Its peculiar appearance can lead to a diagnostic dilemma with differentials including metastatic melanoma, charcoal or hemosiderosis. There is no gold standard therapy, with no particular follow up recommended. Prognosis of PD is yet to be determined however the lack of cytological atypia on histology is reassuring.Figure: Showing PD involvement in the Esophagus.Figure: Showing the hallmark appearance of PD with black speckled appearance in the Duodenum.Figure: Showing Duodenal Biopsy on H&E stain and Iron Stain, positive for Iron within the Macrophages.

Hyperplastic Polyps and Gastroduodenal Pseudomelanosis

Pseudomelanosis is a rare endoscopic finding of the upper gastrointestinal tract. It is characterized by accumulation of iron or hemosiderin in the histiocytes of lamina propria. This presumably benign pathology is associated with multiple clinical conditions like hypertension, chronic renal failure, diabetes mellitus and long term intake of variety of medications like iron supplements and diuretics. It's association or concomitant occurrence with hyperplastic polyp has never been reported. We present a case of pseudomelanosis of the duodenum and stomach and hyperplastic polyps in the stomach. A 72-year-old woman with history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, on chronic iron supplementation presented with an episode of coffee ground emesis. She underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy showing minute brown-black speckled spots throughout the mucosa of stomach and proximal duodenum and four polyps, three of them in gastric body, largest being 1.2 cm in size (Figure 1). The pathology showed brown clumpy pigment deposits within the histiocytes in the lamina propria (Figure 2). Prussian blue and Fontana masson staining were positive consistent with presence of iron and melanin/ melanin- like pigment respectively (Figure 3). The biopsy of polyp was consistent with hyperplastic polyp. Given the endoscopic and pathological findings, she was diagnosed with gastric hyperplastic polyps in the background of pseudomelanosis of stomach and duodenum. She was advised to stop oral iron supplements and follow up for surveillance endoscopy. We report a rare finding of concomitant gastric pseudomelanosis, duodenal pseudomelanosis and gastric hyperplastic polyps. Hyperplastic polyps are premalignant for gastric cancer. Its presence in the absence of gastritis raises the question if pseudomelanosis could be associated with hyperplastic polyp formation. With limited literature on it's etiology and prognosis, these patients should be prospectively followed and reported to study the natural history of the disease.Figure: Endoscopic image showing brown-black speckled spots throughout the mucosa of the duodenum (left) and gastric polyp (right).Figure: Hematoxylin and eosin stain (X400) of the gastric (left) and small intestinal mucosa (right) showing dark brown clumpy pigment present within histiocytes in lamina propria.Figure: Panel of two images; prussian blue stain (X 600) with blue pigment deposition confirming the presence of iron within histiocytes on the left. And Fontana Masson stain (X 600) of the small intestine with brown black pigment deposition consistent with melanin or melanin-like substance deposition in the macrophages on the right.

Dermoscopic Characteristics of Melasma in Indians: A Cross-sectional Study

ABSTRACT Introduction The aim of this study was to assess the various dermoscopic features of melasma in Indian population. Materials and methods A total of 100 cases of clinically diagnosed melasma and 50 controls without melasma or any other facial pigmentation were studied dermoscopically at a tertiary care center in Eastern India. The various described relevant patterns of pigmentation on dermoscopy were recorded. Similar patterns were also looked for in the control population and the two compared. Statistical analysis was done with Fisher's exact test and a p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Cases consisted of 75 females and 25 males with an average age of 36 years as against an average age of 35 years for controls. Of the various patterns of pigmentation, reticuloglobular pigmentation was statistically significant in association with melasma (p < 0.0001). The unpatterned patchy brown black pigment was also significantly associated with melasma as compared to controls (p - 0.0346). A granular pigmentary pattern was also shown to be significantly associated with a diagnosis of melasma (p - 0.0123). Telangiectasia was seen more frequently in patients as compared to controls (p - 0.0327). Perifollicular brown black globules were not significantly correlated with a diagnosis of melasma. More than one pattern was present in a number of patients. Conclusion Dermoscopy of melasma can be used for diagnosis, prognosis, and response or adverse effect of therapy. Study limitations Lack of direct correlation with histopathology and inclusion of therapy naïve as well as patients on therapy were major limitations of this study. How to cite this article Neema S, Chatterjee M. Dermoscopic Characteristics of Melasma in Indians: A Cross-sectional Study. Int J Dermoscop 2017;1(1):6-10.

Acral lentiginous melanoma with multiple brain metastases in an Indian male.

Acral lentiginous melanoma with multiple brain metastases in an Indian male.