The therapeutic potential of TNF-alpha antagonists for skin psoriasis comorbidities.

in Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy (2010), 10(8), 1197-208

IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD: Alopecia, psoriatic arthritis, the metabolic syndrome, inflammatory bowel diseases and cardiovascular diseases may occur as skin psoriatic comorbidities. TNF-alpha antagonists are ... [more ▼]

IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD: Alopecia, psoriatic arthritis, the metabolic syndrome, inflammatory bowel diseases and cardiovascular diseases may occur as skin psoriatic comorbidities. TNF-alpha antagonists are used to treat psoriasis. Adalimumab is one of the recognized active agents for this indication. AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW: The current peer-reviewed publications and presentation of original findings. WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN: Adalimumab is active on recalcitrant psoriasis and some of its comorbidities, particularly arthropathies and Crohn's disease. However, the progression of the radiological alterations is limited with regression of the bony erosions. Psoriatic enthesopathy also regresses. Mortality associated with psoriasis arthropathy is on the decline. Crohn's disease, the most frequent inflammatory bowel comorbidity of psoriasis, is responsive to adalimumab. The effect of adalimumab on the metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular involvement is more erratic. The spectacular effects of adalimumab may be associated with some adverse effects. In particular, despite a marked reduction in the psoriasis area-and-severity index (PASI) score some new acute lesions of cutaneous psoriasis may develop corresponding to paradoxical psoriasis. Other potential adverse effects include infections, granulomas, rapid growth of cancers and occurrence of lymphomas. TAKE HOME MESSAGE: Adalimumab frequently controls moderate-to-severe forms of cutaneous psoriasis and some of its comorbidities. [less ▲]

Updating corneofungimetry: a bioassay exploring dermatomycoses and antifungal susceptibility.

in Mycopathologia (2010), 169(1), 27-35

Superficial dermatomycoses are frequent conditions in humans and animals. Specific treatment modalities have been designed using a variety of different antifungal compounds. The need for antifungal ... [more ▼]

Superficial dermatomycoses are frequent conditions in humans and animals. Specific treatment modalities have been designed using a variety of different antifungal compounds. The need for antifungal susceptibility testing (AST) has been growing steadily over the last two decades due to the extending number of newer antifungal agents. Objective inter- and intraindividual comparisons of their respective efficacies are nearly impossible to perform in vivo. Currently, a series of standardized AST methods and interpretative guidelines have been designed. However, their clinical relevance for dermatomycoses is not consistent. The corneofungimetry bioassay was designed to test comparatively a series of antifungals on pathogenic fungi growing on sheets of human stratum corneum. Computerized morphometric assessments bring numerical values allowing statistical comparisons. Variants of corneofungimetry address more specific aspects related to fungal cell adhesion, fungitoxicity and lipid-dependent fungi. [less ▲]

The skin landscape following nonoptical capacitance imaging.

in American Journal of Clinical Dermatology (2010), 11(2), 89-94

Skin capacitance is an electrical property measurable at the level of the stratum corneum. Values are related to the moisture content of the tissue. Using the silicon image sensor technology, it has ... [more ▼]

Skin capacitance is an electrical property measurable at the level of the stratum corneum. Values are related to the moisture content of the tissue. Using the silicon image sensor technology, it has recently become possible to measure capacitance at 50 microm intervals on the skin surface. The resulting nonoptical picture corresponds to skin capacitance imaging. This novel tool for dermatologists highlights with precision the hollow skin surface patterns, including dermatoglyphics, the patterns of the shallow skin lines, and wrinkles. The topographic heterogeneity in skin surface hydration is made visible. In addition, the sweat gland and follicular openings are disclosed. Skin disorders induced by surfactants or presenting as hyperkeratotic areas, including some neoplasms, may show typical aspects. It is concluded that skin capacitance imaging brings added value to the clinical assessment performed by dermatologists. [less ▲]

A docetaxel-induced rash on a radiotherapy port.

in American Journal of Clinical Dermatology (2010), 11(5), 367-9

Environmental dew point and skin and lip weathering.

in Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology & Venereology (2010), 24(5), 513-7

Xerosis represents a physiological response of the stratum corneum (SC) to environmental threats. The influence of the environmental dew point (DP) is not fully understood. This parameter is the air ... [more ▼]

Xerosis represents a physiological response of the stratum corneum (SC) to environmental threats. The influence of the environmental dew point (DP) is not fully understood. This parameter is the air temperature at which the relative humidity is maximum. This study aimed to assess the relationship between the environmental DP and the water-holding capacity of the skin and lower lip vermilion. For comparison, SC property was evaluated after occlusive application of cooled and uncooled hydrogel pads. Electrometric measurements using a dermal phase meter (DPM) device were performed on the back of the hands, the cheeks and the lower lip of 40 healthy menopausal women. Assessments were performed in the outdoor conditions during winter and spring. The same measurements were recorded after hydrogel pads, at room temperature or cooled to 4 degrees C, were placed for 15 min on the test sites. The environmental DP was recorded at each evaluation time. The SC water-holding capacity was discretely influenced by the DP. In the open-air environmental conditions, a positive linear relationship was found on the cheeks between the DP and DPM values. The relationship was weaker on the lips. Conversely, a consistent increase in DPM values was recorded immediately after removal of the cooled and uncooled hydrogel pads. The observations made in the open-air testing conditions are consistent with the predicted events following the Arrhenius law. By contrast, the combination of cooling and occlusion by the hydrogel pads is responsible for the reverse effect on the SC. [less ▲]

Revisiting biothermal effects on erythematous hypertrophic scars during pregnancy.

in Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (2009), 8(1), 27-31

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy is possibly associated with altered wound healing including the development of hypertrophic or keloidal scarring. The management of these lesions may prove to be difficult, and there ... [more ▼]

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy is possibly associated with altered wound healing including the development of hypertrophic or keloidal scarring. The management of these lesions may prove to be difficult, and there are no universally accepted treatment protocols. Objective To assess erythema fading of hypertrophic scars following cold applications. METHODS: Skin color was assessed using the Visi-Chroma VC100 technology following validation of the method. We compared the effects of freezing or cooling hypertrophic scars developed in 45 Caucasian pregnant women. The effects of liquid nitrogen spray cryotherapy, hydrogel cooling pads, and thermal contact cushions were compared. RESULT: This pilot study showed that the three treatment modalities substantially decreased erythema. The thermal contact cushion appeared to be the most effective biothermal means for achieving this effect. CONCLUSION: Freezing or cooling hypertrophic scars helps reducing erythema of hypertrophic scars. This effect probably results from an inhibitory action exerted on the microvasculature. Data suggest that repeat applications of mild cooling might be more effective than a few short freezing sessions. [less ▲]

Sécrétion sudorale et sébacée

in Expertise médicale continue (2009)

Le diagnostic précoce des cancers de la peau est primordial

Book published by bioderma (2009)

mycoses

in Dermatologie et infections sexuellement transmissibles (2009)

Skin ageprint: the causative factors

in Handbook of cosmetic science and technology (2009)