A common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the 5' untranslated region (5'UTR) of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) gene modulates the level of transcription of this gene and hence is associated with serum levels of EGF. This variant may be associated with melanoma risk, but conflicting findings have been reported. An Australian melanoma case-control sample was typed for the EGF+61A>G tran...

Macroscopic appearances Macule (Fig. 7.1A) A flat, circumscribed lesion; an area of colour or textural change. Macules are seen in vitiligo (hypopigmentation), freckles (hyperpigmentation) and capillary haemangioma (red/purple). Papule (Fig. 7.1B) A solid, circumscribed, palpable elevation of skin less than 5 mm in diameter. They can appear in various forms: e.g. dome shaped (xanthomas), flat t...

Somatic mutations of the BRAF gene are common in melanomas and nevi but the contribution of polymorphisms in this gene to melanoma or nevus susceptibility remains unclear. An Australian melanoma case-control sample was typed for 16 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) within the BRAF gene, and five SNP in three neighboring genes. The sample comprised 755 melanoma cases from 740 families strati...

The objective of this paper is to demonstrate the ability of simulating thermal-solute double diffusivities problem, which is usually calculated via mini-supercomputer or supercomputer, by using typical personal computer (PC). The “plume” phenomena due to buoyant force of lighter liquid solute during solidification will be illustrated. The conduction, convection and macrosegregation predicted b...

BACKGROUND Nepalese population with Fitzpatrick skin types III-V has high prevalence of pigmentary disorders and it is a growing cosmetic concern. Q-Switched Neodymium- Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (QS Nd-YAG) laser is an efficacious tool in the treatment of pigment disorders. OBJECTIVE To highlight the efficacy and safety profile of various pigment disorders. METHODS A prospective study d...

Waardenburg Syndrome (WS) is an autosomal-dominant disorder characterized by sensorineural hearing loss and pigmentary abnormalities of the eyes, hair, and skin. Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) gene mutations account for about 15% of WS type II (WS2) cases. To date, fewer than 40 different MITF gene mutations have been identified in human WS2 patients, and few of these wer...

Skin tone images, portraits in particular, are of tremendous importance in digital photography, but a number of factors, such as pigmentation irregularities (e.g., moles, freckles), irritation, roughness, or wrinkles can reduce their appeal. Moreover, such “defects” are oftentimes enhanced by lighting conditions, e.g., when a flash is used. Starting with the observations that melanin and hemogl...

The prediction of appearance traits by use solely genetic information has become an established approach and a number statistical models have already been developed for this purpose. However, given limited knowledge on genetics, currently available are incomplete do not include all causal variants as predictors. Therefore such may benefit from the inclusion additional that acts proxy unknown ba...

AP736 was identified as an antimelanogenic drug that can be used for the prevention of melasma, freckles, and dark spots in skin by acting as a suppressor of melanin synthesis and tyrosinase expression. Since macrophage-mediated inflammatory responses are critical for skin health, here we investigated the potential anti-inflammatory activity of AP736. The effects of AP736 on various inflammator...

freckles and pigmented acne scars, are of serious concern to women. Their treatment usually involves the use of medicines or medicinal cosmetics containing depigmenting agents or skin-whitening agents. For example, hydroquinone and 4methoxyphenol are used as topical therapies for hyperpigmentation disorders. Active ingredients available for medicated whitening cosmetics in Japan include vitamin...