We examined the effect of a dietary seaweed extract-sulfated xylorhamnoglucuronan (SXRG84)-on individuals with inflammatory skin conditions. A subgroup analysis of a larger trial was undertaken, where 44 participants with skin conditions were enrolled in a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover design. Subjects ingested either SXRG84 extract (2 g/day) for six weeks and placebo for six weeks, or vice versa. At baseline, six- and twelve-weeks inflammatory markers and the gut microbiota were assessed, as well as skin assessments using the dermatology quality of life index (DQLI), psoriasis area severity index (PASI) and visual analogue scales (VAS). There were significant differences at weeks six and twelve for pro-inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ (p = 0.041), IL-1β (p = 0.030), TNF-α (p = 0.008) and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 (p = 0.026), determined by ANCOVA. These cytokines were all significantly higher at six weeks post placebo compared to twelve weeks post placebo followed by SXRG84 treatment. A total of 23% of participants reported skin improvements, as measured by VAS (mean difference 3.1, p = 0.0005) and the DQLI score (mean difference -2.0, p = 0.049), compared to the \'non-responders\'. Thus, the ingestion of SXRG84 for 6 weeks reduced inflammatory cytokines, and a subset of participants saw improvements.

Introduction Palmoplantar dermatoses are skin diseases affecting specifically palms and soles is a common clinical entity encountered by dermatologists. This may cause discomfort and embarrassment to the patients because its location interferes significantly with normal day-to-day activities. Palmoplantar dermatosis affects a heterogeneous population, ranging from bare-handed workers in the slaughterhouse to medical personnel wearing gloves in the operating room. The present study endeavors to classify palmoplantar dermatoses based on their morphology and the clinical distribution pattern. Materials and methods The present study is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted for six months at Osmania General Hospital, India. A total number of 80 patients having palmoplantar dermatoses who met the study inclusion criteria were included. After taking proper informed consent, data were collected from patients on a fixed proforma sheet. Results The study comprised 44 (55%) male and 36 (45%) female patients. The mean duration of palmoplantar dermatoses was 2.92 years. Itching and painful fissures are the most common symptoms patients complained of and psoriasis is the most common clinical type seen in 32 (40%) patients followed by eczemas in 30 (37.5%) patients and fungal infections in 10 (12.5%) patients. Conclusion The term palmoplantar dermatoses includes a heterogeneous group of skin disorders but no exact classification is present and classes differ based on the diseases to be kept in a group. Physicians should be well aware of the clinical features of these dermatoses and diagnosis is very important for early intervention and correct management, thereby helping improve patients\' quality of life.

Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome (PLS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by palmoplantar keratoderma and early-onset periodontitis. It was first described by Papillon and Lefèvre in 1924. PLS is caused by mutations in the cathepsin-C (CTSC) gene. The development of malignant skin neoplasms in PLS patients is extremely rare. To date, there have been two cases of malignant melanoma (MM) in PLS patients reported in international journals. Further, only one case of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has been reported in PLS patients. To the best of our knowledge, no cases with basal cell carcinoma in PLS patients have been reported in literature. Thus, we report a case of a 55-year-old male from Arabic Saudi with PLS and basal cell carcinoma. The patient was homozygous for a G-to-C substitution at the nucleotide position 815 (CTSC, c.815G>Cp.(Arg272Pro), which is a pathogenic variant. Since this is not the first case of skin cancer in PLS patients, we are supporting the possibility that cathepsin-C play a role in cancer development.