Pigmented Spots Research Articles

First record of a rare transversotrematid cercaria larva (Trematoda: Digenea) from Rajasthan, India: focus on seasonal occurrence and host-specificity of diverse cercariae.

During the survey of freshwater snail hosts and their digenean larval trematode parasites, a rare cercaria larva belonging to family Transversotrematidae and subclass Digenea (Trematoda) was recovered from the snail species Melanoides striatella tuberculata inhabiting perennial Som river of Udaipur district, Rajasthan, India. More than 28% mature specimens of these snails were found to be infected with transversotrematid cercaria larvae in the spring season. Body of this cercaria is large, bowl-shaped, biocellate, spinose, transparent and laterally extended having two pigmented eye spots, two hold fast organs extended from the junction of body and tail, large tail with two foliated furcal rami, and cyclocoel intestinal caeca. As far as the authors are aware, this is the first record of a transversotrematid larva from Rajasthan, India. Simultaneously, other forms of cercariae viz., amphistome, echinostome, monostome, gymnocephalous, furcocercous and xiphidiocercous cercariae were also recovered from fifteen species of pulmonate and operculate snails including Lymnaea acuminata f. patula, L. acuminata f. chlamys, L. acuminata f. typica, L. acuminata f. rufescens, L. luteola f. australis, L. luteola f. typica, L. luteola f. impura, Planorbis (Indoplanorbis) exustus, and Anisus (Gyraulus) convexiusculus, Faunus ater, Melania (Plotia) scabra, Thiara (Tarebia) lineata, Melanoides striatella tuberculata, Vivipara bengalensis race gigantica and V. bengalensis race mandiensis. The seasonal occurrence and host-specificity of diverse trematode cercaria larvae are also discussed besides the first record of a rare transversotrematid cercaria larva from Rajasthan, India.

Endoscopic Stigmata: Recognition Lies in the Eye of the Beholder?

The most widely accepted classification for endoscopic stigmata is the Forrest classification, which divides endoscopically visible lesions into 3 classes (ie, I, II, and III). The classification is most useful because it is based on risk of rebleeding in the absence of endoscopic therapy. But how good are we at identifying/classifying the stigmata on endoscopy? Data from the REASON Registry from Canada, which reviewed endoscopy data retrospectively, showed that high-risk stigmata were present in 47.8% of the patients on endoscopy, but less than two-thirds of these received endoscopic therapy. On the other hand, about 9.8% patients with low-risk stigmata received endoscopic therapy. More than one-quarter of the reports did not document and classify the stigmata. Similar studies by Lau et al and Bour et al have shown poor inter-observer agreement between experts for recognition of endoscopic stigmata. An anonymous online survey was designed and separate links to the survey were e-mailed to faculty and fellows. We divided the survey into 2 parts—stigmata recognition and stigmata therapy. Under stigmata recognition, a standard image of a lesion belonging to one class of the Forrest classification was presented. The images were reproduced from records of our own endoscopies or from standard online digital libraries of endoscopic stigmata. The images were chosen to represent a very standard imagery representative of the lesion. Under stigmata therapy, we used different labeled images of endoscopic lesions and asked faculty/fellows to choose how they would treat the lesion endoscopically, including an option to not treat. Total of 17 faculty members and 11 fellows participated in the survey. Our study brings forth a few vital observations:1.Based on our data, overall low-risk stigmata was misclassified as high risk about 14% of time by board-certified gastroenterologists. This would have inadvertently led to unnecessary endoscopic therapy. In the same vein, high-risk stigmata was misclassified as low risk 6% of the time, putting patients at risk for rebleeding from them.2.Overall inter-observer agreement in recognition of stigmata was very good (κ = .85). It was poorest for an adherent clot (κ = .52) and best for spurting hemorrhage (κ = 1).3.Overall inter-observer agreement in treatment of endoscopic stigmata was good (κ = .74). It was again poorest for an adherent clot (κ = .58) and best for spurting hemorrhage/clean-based ulcer and flat pigmented spot (κ = 1).4.The κ indexes were significantly better for faculty with >3 years of experience vs junior fellows (first- and second-year fellows) (senior faculty overall κ = .85 ± .09 and junior fellows .68 ± .16; 2-tailed P = .047).

A new species of genus Ephemeroporus Frey, 1982 (Cladocera: Anomopoda: Chydoridae) from Peninsular Malaysia.

Study of Ephemeroporus Frey, 1982 populations from Peninsular Malaysia revealed a new species. Ephemeroporus malaysiaensis sp. nov. is characterized by the presence of four-five large denticles on anal margin of postabdomen instead of two-three, and five distinctive pigmented spots on each valve. Pigmented spots on the valves were never recorded for any species of family Chydoridae. E. malaysiaensis sp. nov. seems to be another endemic Chydoridae species of South-East Asia. E. malaysiaensis sp. nov. is a rare species, associated with emergent macrophytes in the littoral zone of shallow lake. Most of Ephemeroporus populations from Peninsular Malaysia belong to eurybiotic Paleotropical species Ephemeroporus barroisi (Richard, 1984).

Extrinsic skin ageing in German, Chinese and Japanese women manifests differently in all three groups depending on ethnic background, age and anatomical site

BackgroundIt has been suggested that extrinsic skin ageing manifests differently in Caucasians versus East Asians. In particular, from previous studies it was concluded that Caucasians are more prone to develop wrinkles, whereas pigment spot formation is the hallmark of extrinsic skin ageing in East Asians. However, these assumptions are based on a very limited number of studies which did not include different East Asian populations. ObjectiveWe here compare the manifestation of extrinsic skin ageing signs in German, Japanese and Chinese women by specifically elucidating the age and anatomical site dependence of any potential ethnic difference. MethodsIn the present study, we assessed skin ageing in N=902 German, N=165 Japanese and N=1260 Chinese women ranging from 30 to 90 years by means of SCINEXA™. Linear regression analysis was used to test for ethnic differences and their age and site dependence adjusted for educational level, sun exposure, smoking and sun protection behaviours. ResultsPigment spots and wrinkles on the face were present among all three ethnic groups and differences were influenced by age and anatomical sites independently of further influencing factors. Pigment spots on the forehead were most pronounced over the whole age range in Chinese and German women and least developed in Japanese. Pigment spots on cheeks were a typical extrinsic skin an ageing sign in the two East Asian populations in all age groups. However, in older German women they reach the same level as observed in the two East Asian populations. In contrast, pigment spots on arms and hands were significantly more pronounced in German women ≥45years of age. Wrinkles were not exclusively a skin an ageing sign of German women, but were also very pronounced in Chinese women on forehead, between the eyebrows and in the crow’s feet area. ConclusionThese results corroborate the previous notion that the occurrence of pigments spots and wrinkles is different between Caucasians and East Asians. In addition, this study shows that this difference depends on age and anatomical site and that it also differs between different ethnic groups from East Asia.

The MC1R Gene and Youthful Looks

Looking young for one's age has been a desire since time immemorial. This desire is attributable to the belief that appearance reflects health and fecundity. Indeed, perceived age predicts survival [1] and associates with molecular markers of aging such as telomere length [2]. Understanding the underlying molecular biology of perceived age is vital for identifying new aging therapies among other purposes, but studies are lacking thus far. As a first attempt, we performed genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of perceived facial age and wrinkling estimated from digital facial images by analyzing over eight million SNPs in 2,693 elderly Dutch Europeans from the Rotterdam Study. The strongest genetic associations with perceived facial age were found for multiple SNPs in the MC1R gene (p< 1× 10(-7)). This effect was enhanced for a compound heterozygosity marker constructed from four pre-selected functional MC1R SNPs (p= 2.69× 10(-12)), which was replicated in 599 Dutch Europeans from the Leiden Longevity Study (p= 0.042) and in 1,173 Europeans of the TwinsUK Study (p= 3× 10(-3)). Individuals carrying the homozygote MC1R risk haplotype looked on average up to 2 years older than non-carriers. This association was independent of age, sex, skin color, and sun damage (wrinkling, pigmented spots) and persisted through different sun-exposure levels. Hence, a role for MC1R in youthful looks independent of its known melanin synthesis function is suggested. Our study uncovers the first genetic evidence explaining why some people look older for their age and provides new leads for further investigating the biological basis of how old or young people look.

Taxonomy and molecular systematics of three oligotrich (s.l.) ciliates including descriptions of two new species, Strombidium guangdongense sp. nov. and Strombidinopsis sinicum sp. nov. (Protozoa, Ciliophora)

In this study we investigated the morphology of three oligotrich (s.l.) ciliates, Strombidium guangdongense sp. nov., Cyrtostrombidium paralongisomum Tsai et al., 2015 and Strombidinopsis sinicum sp. nov. Strombidium guangdongense sp. nov. is characterized by its elongate obconical to obovoidal body shape and widely spaced dikinetids in the girdle and ventral kineties. Another new species, Strombidinopsis sinicum sp. nov. is diagnosed by its small size and semi-globular body shape without mineral envelopes. Some additional morphological data of the recently described species Cyrtostrombidium paralongisomum Tsai et al., 2015, such as the endoral membrane, are supplied based on our population. We also analysed the molecular phylogeny of each species based on small subunit rRNA (SSU rRNA) gene sequence data. The monophyly of Cyrtostrombidium is supported by our phylogenetic analyses, but the monophyly of Strombidinopsis and of the family Strombidinopsidae are both rejected by AU tests. In addition, Strombidium species have a tail branch separately from one another in phylogenetic trees, whereas strombidiids with a pigment spot group together, suggesting the latter character is a synapomorphy for this group of strombidiids.http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:35FE2AFD-A582-4885-BD01-48901E4C76C4http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:E9D4A497-DAD6-4AA0-A044-A5A1D2C1A057

The life cycle of Neocladocystis intestinalis (Vaz, 1932) (Digenea: Cryptogonimidae), in Aylacostoma chloroticum (Prosobranchia: Thiaridae), and Salminus brasiliensis (Characiformes: Characidae), in Argentina.

The life cycle of Neocladocystis intestinalis (Vaz, 1932) was resolved experimentally. The prosobranchiate snail Aylacostoma chloroticum Hylton Scott (Thiaridae) collected in the Yacyretá Dam, Province of Misiones, Argentina, was found naturally infected with cercariae that possessed pigmented eye spots, 7 pairs of penetration glands, 12 pairs of flame cells, and a V-shaped, or Y-shaped excretory vesicle with very short stem. The cercariae developed in oval cysts, which were found on fin rays, and under scales of naturally and experimentally exposed tetragonopterid fish species and of experimentally exposed poecilid and prochilodont fish species. Adults were obtained experimentally from juvenile Salminus brasiliensis (Characidae), bred in captivity, and infected with metacercariae from albino Gymnocorymbus ternetzi (Tetragonopteridae), which had been exposed to emerging cercariae.

The skin-depigmenting potential of Paeonia lactiflora root extract and paeoniflorin: in vitro evaluation using reconstructed pigmented human epidermis.

The roots of the herb Paeonia lactiflora ('White Peony') are used in association with other herbs in traditional clinical cosmetic practice in China as oral treatment for skin pigmentary disorders, such as brown or dark pigmentary spots. However, the skin-depigmenting potential of Paeonia lactiflora root extract and its main ingredient paeoniflorin has been scarcely investigated by topical application. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Paeonia lactiflora root extract and paeoniflorin as skin whitening agent in cosmetic application. Paeonia lactiflora root extract (containing 53.25% of paeoniflorin) and paeoniflorin (97% purity) were applied topically on reconstructed pigmented human epidermis model, a three-dimensional (3D) human skin equivalent, showing morphological and functional characteristics similar to those of in vivo human skin. Two specific methods were used for quantifying melanin inside the reconstructed pigmented epidermis: Fontana-Masson staining (2D quantification) and multiphoton microscopy (3D quantification). Compared to vehicle (dimethyl sulfoxide DMSO), a significant decrease in 2D and 3D melanin content was observed after topical application on reconstructed pigmented epidermis of Paeonia lactiflora extract at 300 μg mL(-1) (-28% and -27%, respectively) and paeoniflorin at 120 μg mL(-1) /250 μM (-30% and -23%, respectively), which is in the same order of magnitude as the positive reference 4-n-butylresorcinol at 83 μg mL(-1) /500 μM (-26% and -40%, respectively). These results demonstrate, for the first time, the depigmenting potential of paeoniflorin and thus the potential interest of using Paeonia lactiflora root extracts containing paeoniflorin in cosmetic or dermatological applications for reducing the severity of some hyperpigmented skin disorders.

Biological processes in solar lentigo: insights brought by experimental models

Common in ageing patient, the solar lentigo is a macular hyperpigmented skin lesion that results from chronic exposure to ultraviolet irradiations. Despite sharing numerous features with other pigmented spots, the diagnostic of this benign lesion is well characterized at the tissue level. Recent studies shed lights on several factors and their pathogenic mechanisms involved in the development of the solar lentigo. This review summarizes how diverse experimental approaches allowed the identification of several biomarkers, which contribute to a better understanding on the initiation and the maintenance of this pigmentary disorder.

THE SUBEPITHELIAL PIGMENT SPOTS OF TRACHEOBRONCHIAL TREE: DETECTION RATE AND ETIOLOGY ACCORDING TO BRONCHOSCOPY FINDINGS

Background: The etiology of tracheobronchial tree subepithelial pigment spots, detected by endoscopic examination, has not been yet finally established. Some authors attribute them to an active tuberculous process or its outcome; other researchers suggest their association with the professional pathology. Aim: To study the detection rate and etiology of tracheobronchial tree subepithelial pigmented spots within the unspecialized bronchoscopic examination. Materials and methods: A total of 3404 primary therapeutic and diagnostic bronchoscopic data were analyzed. The examinations were conducted using bronchoscopes ВF-1T60 and MAF-TM (Olympus, Japan). Endobronchial photos were performed using a bronchoscope MAF-TM. Results: During the study, the subepithelial pigment spots were detected in 20 (0.59%) cases. In none of these cases, an active tuberculous process or professional pathology was confirmed. Fistulas in projection of subepithelial pigmented spots were found in 3 cases. Conclusions: Detection rate of subepithelial pigmented spots during the non-specialized bronchoscopic procedure is low, less than 1% (0.59% in our study). Clinical, laboratory, instrumental, and anamnestic analyses allowed us to associate the studied pathology with the previous tuberculosis of intrathoracic lymph nodes.

Dermoscopic features of conjunctival, mucosal, and nail pigmentations in a case of Laugier-Hunziker syndrome.

A 23-year-old man presented with multiple lip pigmentations. Longitudinal hyperpigmented streaks on his nails, as well as an ill-defined 2×3 mm pigmented spot on his right eye were noted (Figure 1). The family history was unremarkable. He was not taking any medication. Figure 1. Clinical view of labial (A), ungual (B) and conjunctival (H) pigmentations are shown. Dermoscopic findings included reticular lines (B), globules (C), and parallel lines (D) in the labial pigmentation; brown to gray longitudinal regular lines (F, G) in ... Colonoscopy and barium radiography of intestine were unremarkable. Complete blood count, complete metabolic panel, and urinalysis were within normal limits. The patient was diagnosed with Laugier-Hunziker syndrome (LHS). Dermoscopic examination of the lip pigmentations disclosed parallel lines, reticular lines and globules. The only recognized color was brown, which had a grayish hue in some parts of the lesion. A light brown colored homogeneous pattern was observed in the conjunctival pigmentation. The pigmented nail streaks showed brown-to-gray longitudinal regular lines (Figure 1). Histopathological examination of the labial pigmentation revealed basal keratinocyte pigmentation. No increase in the melanocyte count was identified with S100 and HMB45 immunohistochemical staining. Iron accumulation was not seen with specific Perls’ stain. The histopathological findings were compatible with the diagnosis of melanotic macule. Impression cytology examination of the conjunctival pigmentation revealed melanocytes with only a mild atypia suggesting a benign nature. The patient was processed to follow-up. LHS is a rare, acquired disease characterized by hyperpigmented macules of the lips and oral mucosa along with longitudinal melanonychia. Pigmentations in other mucosal surfaces may also exist. Although this syndrome is being regarded as benign, invasive mucosal melanoma has been reported in a case of LHS [1]. Parallel ridge pattern and irregular diffuse pigmentation in acral lesions; irregular lines on a brown background and micro-Hutchinson’s sign in nail apparatus lesions [2]; and the combination of blue, gray, or white color with structureless zones in mucosal lesions are the dermoscopic findings suggestive of melanoma [3]. Little data exists regarding the dermoscopic features of conjunctival pigmentations in the literature. Atypical pigment network, irregular dots and globules, regression structures, and a blue-white veil are the dermoscopic findings reported in a case of palpebral conjunctival melanoma [4]. Dermoscopic findings may differ from usual in some pigmentation syndromes including LHS. Parallel ridge pattern has been determined in benign acral pigmentations of several LHS cases [5–7]. Although nail pigmentations in LHS have been found to demonstrate similar dermoscopic findings with that seen in ethnic type and drug induced pigmentation, which are regular linear pigmentation lines on a grayish background, micro-Hutchinson’s sign have also been reported in benign nail pigmentations of some LHS cases [2,5,8]. Parallel furrow pattern, brown and blue-gray granular pigmentation along with linear and dotted vessels on whitish pink areas are the dermoscopic findings reported in labial pigmentations of LHS cases [5]. The only LHS case with labial melanoma in the literature exhibited blue-whitish veil on dermoscopic examination [1]. Dermoscopic findings in the present case were consistent with benign nature. The dermoscopic finding of a conjunctival pigmentation in LHS is being reported for the first time by the present study. The identification of dermoscopic features of this syndrome may simplify the management of LHS. Further reports are necessary to arrive at a conclusion.

A new quantitative evaluation method for age-related changes of individual pigmented spots in facial skin.

Facial skin pigmentation is one of the most prominent visible features of skin aging and often affects perception of health and beauty. To date, facial pigmentation has been evaluated using various image analysis methods developed for the cosmetic and esthetic fields. However, existing methods cannot provide precise information on pigmented spots, such as variations in size, color shade, and distribution pattern. The purpose of this study is the development of image evaluation methods to analyze individual pigmented spots and acquire detailed information on their age-related changes. To characterize the individual pigmented spots within a cheek image, we established a simple object-counting algorithm. First, we captured cheek images using an original imaging system equipped with an illumination unit and a high-resolution digital camera. The acquired images were converted into melanin concentration images using compensation formulae. Next, the melanin images were converted into binary images. The binary images were then subjected to noise reduction. Finally, we calculated parameters such as the melanin concentration, quantity, and size of individual pigmented spots using a connected-components labeling algorithm, which assigns a unique label to each separate group of connected pixels. The cheek image analysis was evaluated on 643 female Japanese subjects. We confirmed that the proposed method was sufficiently sensitive to measure the melanin concentration, and the numbers and sizes of individual pigmented spots through manual evaluation of the cheek images. The image analysis results for the 643 Japanese women indicated clear relationships between age and the changes in the pigmented spots. We developed a new quantitative evaluation method for individual pigmented spots in facial skin. This method facilitates the analysis of the characteristics of various pigmented facial spots and is directly applicable to the fields of dermatology, pharmacology, and esthetic cosmetology.

Analysis of iris surface features in populations of diverse ancestry

There are many textural elements that can be found in the human eye, including Fuchs’ crypts, Wolfflin nodules, pigment spots, contraction furrows and conjunctival melanosis. Although iris surface features have been well-studied in populations of European ancestry, the worldwide distribution of these traits is poorly understood. In this paper, we develop a new method of characterizing iris features from photographs of the iris. We then apply this method to a diverse sample of East Asian, European and South Asian ancestry. All five iris features showed significant differences in frequency between the three populations, indicating that iris features are largely population dependent. Although none of the features were correlated with each other in the East and South Asian groups, Fuchs’ crypts were significantly correlated with contraction furrows and pigment spots and contraction furrows were significantly associated with pigment spots in the European group. The genetic marker SEMA3A rs10235789 was significantly associated with Fuchs’ crypt grade in the European, East Asian and South Asian samples and a borderline association between TRAF3IP1 rs3739070 and contraction furrow grade was found in the European sample. The study of iris surface features in diverse populations may provide valuable information of forensic, biomedical and ophthalmological interest.

Objective and Self-Perceived Facial Skin Status Using Whitening Efficacy of Cosmetic Products on Taiwanese Women

Background: Tranexamic acid and vitamin C derivatives are important reagent used in cosmetic skin-whitening products. Recently, self-perceptions regarding improvement in facial skin status have been increasingly recognized as an important outcome of whitening cosmetic products intervention. Aims: The purpose of the study was to determine the receptiveness of objective and self-perceived facial skin status using whitening cosmetic products. Methods: A total of 40 volunteers were photographed using the Visia? machine and completed questionnaires at pre- and post-operation (8 weeks after receiving whitening cosmetic products). Visia? digital image analysis and questionnaires were used for assessment of facial skin status. The receptiveness of objective and self-perceived measures was assessed by paired t test and Effect Size (ES). Results: There were progresses with regard to the surface spot (ES = 0.22), wrinkles (ES = 0.24), texture (ES = 0.31) and pores (ES = 0.21) after using cosmetic products with tranexamic acid. For self-perceived measures, there were significant progresses in pigmented spots (ES = 0.75), rough complexion (ES = 0.76), red complexion (ES = 0.41), wrinkle (ES = 0.58) and obvious pores (ES = 0.75). Conclusions: This study suggests that the whitening cosmetic products are associated with improvement of objective and self-perceived facial skin status. The results could be provided as available information for cosmetic investigation.

Discovery of Golden-Colored Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), with Preliminary Culture Evaluations

Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) with a golden pigment and black spots were discovered during harvest of a University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) experimental channel catfish production pond. Golden catfish were mixed with catfish of normal pigmentation and of similar sizes. Following the observation that differences existed in algal-off flavor, three golden and three normal pigmented harvestable catfish were hand-filleted and proximate and sensory evaluations performed. Golden catfish were significantly lower in percent protein, and total fat, but higher in moisture and ash. Lower lipid levels would account for less off-flavor compounds in golden fish. A lipid profile was performed with both pigmented fishes at a later date from fish cultured separately in the same pond. No significant differences in lipid percentages were found. Taste tests were performed on two occasions with two batches of golden and normal catfish. Six of eight panelists preferred microwaved golden fillet samples for the milder flavor, less toughness, and less greasy/metallic aftertaste. Other golden variant cultured fishes have been evaluated and results are similar. As possible management and willingness to pay benefits appear to exist, further evaluations are recommended.

Extrafacial melasma over forearms.

Sir, Melasma is a common hypermelanoses affecting the female gender. The etiology of melasma has not been clearly identified. Factors associated with melasma include exposure to ultraviolet light, pregnancy, oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy, thyroid autoimmunity, cosmetic ingredients, and phototoxic drugs.[1] The commonest site affected by melasma is the face and has been distinguished into three clinical patterns, namely, centrofacial, malar, and mandibular. Extrafacial melasma is a rare entity and has been very rarely reported in the literature. Extrafacial melasma should be distinguished from acquired brachial cutaneous dyschromatosis (ABCD).[2] A 55-year-old woman presented with brownish pigmentation of her both forearms for past six years. She reported that initially few brown hyperpigmented asymptomatic spots appeared on her right forearm and similar pigmented spots started appearing on the other forearm too. She denied any history of inflammatory dermatoses prior to appearance of her skin problem. The patient was postmenopausal since three years. She reported that the pigmentation became more prominent on sun exposure. She denied the intake of oral contraceptive pills or hormone replacement therapy. There was no history suggestive of thyroid dysfunction. She did not give history of receiving any photosensitizing drugs. Cutaneous examination showed a large, brown irregular patch on her right forearm and a similar developing lesion on her other forearm. The patches comprised of multiple coalescing hyperpigmented macules with irregular borders with intervening areas showing normal skin. She also had malar type of facial melasma [Figure 1]. We made a provisional diagnosis of extrafacial melasma and ABCD. Potassium hydroxide mount from the patches failed to show any fungal elements, which ruled out pityriasis versicolor. Wood's lamp examination showed accentuation of pigmentation suggestive of epidermal pigmentation. Skin biopsy from the lesion showed epidermal thinning and increased melanization of basal layer [Figure 2]. Histology showed minimal epidermal atrophy and mild solar elastosis in the form of elastic fiber degeneration. No evidence of amyloid material was seen on special stains, which ruled out frictional amyloid deposition. On a review of the literature, we were able to rule out acquired brachial cutaneous dyschromatosis as there were no hypopigmented atrophic macules. On correlation, we made a diagnosis of extrafacial melasma involving dorsa of both forearms.Figure 1: Patient having malar type of melasma and brownish pigmentation on dorsa of both forearmsFigure 2: H and E stained section of biopsy showing epidermal thinning and increased melanization of basal layers (×20)Extrafacial melasma is an uncommon variant of melasma and has been very rarely reported in the literature. Extrafacial melasma shares similar clinical features as that of facial melasma with brownish hyperpigmented spots with irregular borders. Although facial and extrafacial melasma share some clinical features, they differ in incidence. Melasma occurs predominantly in the age group of 20–40 years with a mean age of 33 years and is rarely observed in menopausal females.[3] Extrafacial melasma is known to affect menopausal women in the fifth decade of life.[4] A close differential for extrafacial melasma affecting forearm is ABCD. ABCD is characterized by dyschromatosis (hyperpigmented and hypopigmented macules) and face is never involved, whereas extrafacial melasma lacks hypopigmented atrophic macules. ABCD has a strong causal association with antihypertensive drugs particularly angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors.[2] A striking observation in cases of ABCD is poikiloderma of the neck (Civatte), which may be incidental in cases of extrafacial melasma. Histologically, extrafacial melasma resembles facial melasma with increased pigmentation of basal layer and epidermal atrophy. Both the entities show signs of chronic actinic damage on histology Skin biopsy in our patient showed epidermal thinning, which can be a sign of chronic actinic damage. Treatment of extrafacial melasma can be challenging with frequent relapses. Depigmenting drugs, retinoids, and sunscreen are the mainstay of therapy for extrafacial melasma.[56] It is premature to comment whether extrafacial melasma responds to depigmenting therapy akin to typical facial melasma. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.

Armandia sampadae, a new species of polychaete (Opheliidae) from Andaman Sea, Northern Indian Ocean

A new species of polychaete,Armandia sampadaewas collected from shallow sandy sediments off Rutland Island (57 m depth) and off North Andaman (52 m depth) during a benthic survey along the continental shelf of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The major character which distinguishes this species from other members of the genusArmandiais the presence of a pair of large, flattened, rounded, stalked, pigmented, leaf-shaped ventral papillae at the ventral base of the ringed anal funnel and the occurrence of a pair of sub-triangular black pigmented spots in the basal portion of the ventral papillae.

Regulative capacity for eye formation by first quartet micromeres of the polychaete Capitella teleta

The stereotypic cleavage pattern shared by spiralian embryos provides unique opportunities to compare mechanisms of cell fate specification of homologous blastomeres, and can give insights into how changes in fate may have influenced the evolution of novel structures and morphological diversity. The potential of cells to undergo regulation and the timing of cell fate specification were investigated during early development in the polychaete annelid, Capitella teleta. Targeted laser deletions of the first quartet micromeres were performed, with a focus on the eye-forming cells 1a and 1c. Most of the larvae resulting from deletion of the 1a or 1c micromeres lack both the pigment cell and sensory cell of the eye as predicted by the C. teleta fate map. In a minority of cases, however, both left and right larval eye spots develop, suggesting that other blastomeres within the embryo regulate for loss of these cells. Deletion of the 1a and 1c derivatives, 1a1 or 1c1, also largely result in larvae with one pigment spot, although there are larvae with two eye spots, suggesting that the ability to regulate for loss of an eye-generating cell persists for an additional cell cycle. Cell deletion in conjunction with intracellular labeling indicates that all four quadrants retain the ability to generate eyes, including those that normally do not. Deletion of all four first quartet micromeres provides evidence that only the first quartet micromeres have eye-forming potential. Additionally, in contrast to the right side of the head where larval and adult eye sensory cells are derived from the same cell (1c), on the left side, the larval and adult eye sensory cells are generated by different embryonic lineages. We hypothesize that cell–cell interactions and cell position are important for regulative ability in Capitella. To our knowledge, this is one of the first detailed deletion studies of the first quartet micromeres and the first convincing example of regulation in polychaetes, which are often thought to be non-regulative in nature.

Control of Maintenance and Regeneration of Planarian Eyes by ovo.

Following decapitation, the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea regenerates its head and eyes. The gene ovo is required for eye maintenance and regeneration in response to wounding. In this study, we investigated whether eye regeneration in S. mediterranea could occur absent a wound healing response. One hundred twenty S. mediterranea were treated with ovo RNA interference (RNAi) or control (unc-22) RNAi by feeding double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). Following eye loss, ovo RNAi treatment was halted and replaced with control RNAi treatment. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was used to monitor ovo expression. Eye functionality was monitored via a phototaxis assay. Photoreceptor neurons were visualized via immunofluorescence staining of arrestin. Treatment with ovo RNAi caused eyes to gradually shrink until they were completely absent. One hundred percent of ovo RNAi-treated planarians lost both eyes within 137 days of treatment onset. ovo RNAi-treated planarians were unable to regenerate eyes in response to decapitation. Upon removal of ovo RNAi, eyes became visible as small pigmented spots in the head within 28 days. The eyes slowly developed, appearing to gain pigmented cells first and then nonpigmented photoreceptors. Phototaxis assays demonstrated functional eye loss and eye restoration. ovo mRNA was significantly decreased following treatment with ovo RNAi and significantly increased following removal of ovo RNAi. Arrestin staining was present in the eyes, optic nerves, and optic chiasm of worms with regenerated eyes but not in eyeless worms. S. mediterranea have the ability to generate functional eyes in the absence of a wound healing response. This ability requires the expression of ovo.

Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome Presenting as Acute Intestinal Obstruction Due to Jejunal Intussusception - A Case Report of Diagnostic Dilema

PJS is an autosomal dominant genetic disease associated with melanin pigment spots on the oral mucosa, lips, nasal alae, palm and soles, as well as hamartomatous polyps in the alimentary canal. Polyps are often a cause of intussusception in the affected patients. Cancers of gastrointestinal system, uterus and breast are common in patients with PJS. Long-term follow-up is required to prevent intussusception in children and cancer in adults. We report a classical case of Peutz–Jeghers syndrome presenting with jejunoileal intussusception in a 9 year old child.