Abstract Background: The independent role of solar radiation in the differential melanogenesis between melasma and adjacent skin is unknown. Objectives: To assess the melanogenic responses of skin with facial melasma and of the adjacent skin to UVB, UVA, and visible light, in an ex vivo model. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study involving 22 patients with melasma. Facial melasma and adjacent skin samples were collected and stored in DMEM medium, at room temperature. One fragment was placed under the protection from light, while another was exposed to UVB, UVA, and visible light (blue-violet component): 166 mJ/cm2, 1.524 J/cm2, and 40 J/cm2, respectively. Subsequently, all samples were kept for 72 hours in a dark environment and stained by Fontana-Masson to assess basal layer pigmentation, dendrites, and melanin granulation. Results: Effective melanogenesis was observed in the basal layer in melasma and in the normal adjacent skin after all irradiations (p< 0.01), with the following median increment: UVB (4.7% vs. 8.5%), UVA (9.5% vs. 9.9%), and visible light (6.8% vs. 11.7%), with no significant difference between anatomical sites. An increase in melanin granulation (coarser melanosomes) was observed only after irradiation with UVA and only in the skin with melasma (p= 0.05). An increase in the melanocyte dendrite count induced by UVB radiation was observed in both anatomical sites (p≤ 0.05). Study limitations: Use of an ex vivo model, with independent irradiation regimes for UVB, UVA, and visible light. Conclusions: Melanogenesis induced by UVB, UVA, and visible light was observed both in melasma and in the adjacent skin. The morphological patterns suggest that different irradiations promote individualized responses on the skin with melasma.

Abstract A 57-year-old female showed bulky, loose tumors, which progressively spread to her arms, anterior chest, and back. She reported dysphagia and dyspnea after mild exertion. She denied alcohol consumption. CT scan of her chest showed no internal lesions. Benign symmetric lipomatosis is a rare syndrome, clinically described as multiple nonencapsulated lipomas of various sizes and symmetrical distribution. This syndrome has three known phenotypes; in type 2 (Launois-Bensaude syndrome), lesions occur primarily on the shoulders, upper arms, and chest, and is unrelated to alcoholism. It causes aesthetic deformities and might block the upper airways. Mediastinal invasion might occur as well.

Abstract: Antisynthetase syndrome is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by interstitial lung disease and/or inflammatory myositis, with positive antisynthetase antibodies (anti-Jo-1, anti-PL-7, anti-PL-12, ZO, OJ, anti-KE or KS). Other symptoms described include: non-erosive arthritis, fever, Raynaud's phenomenon, and "mechanic's hands." The first therapeutic option is corticotherapy, followed by other immunosuppressants. The prognosis of the disease is quite limited when compared to other inflammatory myopathies with negative antisynthetase antibodies.

Abstract: Dermatomyositis is a rare inflammatory disease, autoimmune, with proximal myopathy associated with characteristic dermatological manifestations. In adults, 20-50% of the cases are paraneoplastic manifestation, being mandatory the workup for malignancy Herein we report a case of a woman with classic dermatological presentation of dermatomyositis and newly diagnosed breast cancer. In general, the clinical presentation of paraneoplastic dermatomyositis is more exuberant and manifestations may precede, concur or succeed the diagnosis of neoplasia. The prognosis of cases associated with breast cancer is worse than the idiopathic form. Treatment is based mainly on the resolution of the underlying disease, beyond immunosuppressants.