Scleroderma: skin stiffness assessment using the stress-strain relationship under progressive suction.

in Expert Opinion on Medical Diagnostics (2013), 7(2), 119-25

Introduction: A few non-invasive biometrological methods are available for monitoring skin stiffening in systemic scleroderma. Among them, the Cutometer(R) is used for years by several clinical teams ... [more ▼]

Introduction: A few non-invasive biometrological methods are available for monitoring skin stiffening in systemic scleroderma. Among them, the Cutometer(R) is used for years by several clinical teams. Objectives: To revisit the microscopic structure of the dermal fibrous networks in scleroderma and the relationship with changes in viscoelasticity. Methods: The suction method delivered by the Cutometer(R) was applied following the progressive stress-vs-strain modality. Results: The test procedure was sensitive enough to document the initial progression steps of acroscleroderma. Four stages were thus identified including i) the incipient, ii) the progressive, iii) the overt, and iv) the regressive acroscleroderma. Conclusion: The non-invasive determination of skin biomechanical functions is relevant both in routine clinical practice and in antisclerotic drug development. It is complementary although not a substitute for the determination of selected serum biomarkers. [less ▲]

Characterization of spontaneous collagen fibrillogenesis in a cell-free and tension-free environment.

in Clinical & Experimental Dermatology (2013)

The collagen fibril packing that forms threads and bundles is poorly defined, despite the fact that it is important for distinct aspects of the adventitial and reticular dermis. The present study explored ... [more ▼]

The collagen fibril packing that forms threads and bundles is poorly defined, despite the fact that it is important for distinct aspects of the adventitial and reticular dermis. The present study explored an in vitro fibrillogenesis model using the property of heat polymerization. The process was performed on glass slides with mixtures of collagen I and III, and the material was viewed by scanning electron microscopy. In all instances, collagen I and III formed fibrils with regular sizes. The formation of threads was influenced by the relative proportions of collagen I and III; increasing the relative proportion of collagen I resulted in the formation of threads showing increasing variations in thickness. These findings are in line with the differential presentation and compositions of the different parts of the dermis. The possible interventions of stromal cells and of other macromoleules of the extracellular matrix were not considered in this study. [less ▲]

Toxic epidermal necrolysis and antifolate drugs in cancer chemotherapy.

in Current Drug Safety (2012), 7(5), 357-60

Folates are one-carbon donors essential for synthesizing purines, pyrimidines, serine, and methionine. They correspond to anionic hydrophilic molecules essential for DNA synthesis in mammalian cells. The ... [more ▼]

Folates are one-carbon donors essential for synthesizing purines, pyrimidines, serine, and methionine. They correspond to anionic hydrophilic molecules essential for DNA synthesis in mammalian cells. The latter cells lack the capacity to synthesize folates. In some patients, high dosages of antifolate drugs (eg: methotrexate, pemetrexed) used in cancer chemotherapy alter the keratinocytes, endothelial cells and Factor XIIIa+ dermal dendrocytes in a range of various severities. Such conditions clinically designed under the heading antifolate cytotoxic skin reaction (ACSR) occasionally resemble the toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) / Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) spectrum. Whether or not the TEN/SJS presentation of ACSR is a regular condition similar to that induced by other drugs or a variant condition supported by a unique pathomechanism is unsettled. [less ▲]

How to manage hair changes in cancer patients.

in Vereecken, P.; Awada, A. (Eds.) Handbook of skin care in cancer patients. (2012)

La vignette diagnostique de l'étudiant. Le phénomène de Raynaud.

in Revue Médicale de Liège (2012), 67

Deux bacteries et une kyrielle d'infections cutanees communes.

in Revue Médicale de Liège (2012), 67(10), 513-9

Common bacterial skin infections represent frequent disorders encountered in general practice and in dermatology as well. They encompass a series of infections affecting the epidermis, dermis, hypodermis ... [more ▼]

Common bacterial skin infections represent frequent disorders encountered in general practice and in dermatology as well. They encompass a series of infections affecting the epidermis, dermis, hypodermis and subcutaneous tissues. The two main bacteria involved in these processes are Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus. The resulting infections show various clinical presentations. Their management must be adapted to their gravity and to the putative or proven nature of the causal microorganism. Searching for any skin ingress possibility and any favouring factor is always of importance in order to stimulate healing and avoid recurrences. Of note, skin possibly allows the ingress way for a secondary septicemic dissemination. Conversely, skin is possibly involved in tissue localisation of septicemia. [less ▲]

Dermal ultrastructure in low Beighton score members of 17 families with hypermobile-type Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

in Journal of Biomedicine & Biotechnology (2012), 2012

The distinction between the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome hypermobile type (EDSH) and the benign joint hypermobility syndrome (BJHS) is unclear. The aim of the present study was to compare skin ultrastructural ... [more ▼]

The distinction between the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome hypermobile type (EDSH) and the benign joint hypermobility syndrome (BJHS) is unclear. The aim of the present study was to compare skin ultrastructural abnormalities of EDSH and BJHS among different families. Skin of 23 EDSH, 27 BJHS, and 41 asymptomatic subjects from 17 families was examined using transmission electron microscopy. Similar ultrastructural abnormalities were found irrespective of the Beighton score. Flower-like collagen fibrils represented the key change and elastic fibers were altered as well. Beighton score is a clinical parameter rating joint mobility that appeared unrelated to quantitative and qualitative collagen ultrastructural alterations in the skin. Some EDSH family members fit with BJHS diagnosis. BJHS possibly represents a mild variant of EDSH. [less ▲]

Ustekinumab in psoriasis immunopathology with emphasis on the Th17-IL23 axis. A primer.

in Journal of Biomedicine & Biotechnology (2012), 2012(147413),

Psoriasis is a chronic relapsing immunoinflammatory dermatosis that is commonly associated with systemic comorbidities. The pathogenic importance of interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23 is beyond doubt, as well ... [more ▼]

Psoriasis is a chronic relapsing immunoinflammatory dermatosis that is commonly associated with systemic comorbidities. The pathogenic importance of interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23 is beyond doubt, as well as the involvement of T helper cells (Th)1 and Th17 cells. There is upregulation of the p40 subunit shared by IL-12 and IL-23 and of the IL-23 p19 subunit, but not an increased expression of the IL-12 p35 subunit. This indicates that IL-23 appears more involved than IL-12 in the pathogenesis of psoriatic plaques. Ustekinumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody of the immunoglobulin (Ig) G1 class targeting the p40 subunit common to both IL-12 and IL-23, thus inhibiting both IL-12 and IL-23 receptor-mediated signalling. Ustekinumab is part of the recent biologic therapies active in psoriasis, autoimmune arthritides, and inflammatory bowel diseases. [less ▲]

Ustékinumab (Sterala®), l'axe Th17-IL23 du psoriasis et au-delà.

in Dermatologie Actualité (2012), 131

Malignant melanoma and its stromal nonimmune microecosystem.

in Journal of Oncology (2012), 2012

In recent years, rapid advances were reached in the understanding of a series of biologic signals influencing cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) cells. CMM is in close contact with a peculiar dermal ... [more ▼]

In recent years, rapid advances were reached in the understanding of a series of biologic signals influencing cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) cells. CMM is in close contact with a peculiar dermal extracellular matrix (ECM). Stromal cells store and release various structural ECM components. The impact on CMM growth and progression is mediated through strong and long-lasting effects of ECM products. This paper summarizes some peculiar aspects of the peri-CMM stroma showing intracytoplasmic loads in Factor XIIIa, CD34, versican, and alpha (IV) collagen chains. The restricted peri-CMM skin territory exhibiting such changes corresponds to the area showing neoangiogenesis and extravascular unicellular metastatic spread. The latter inconspicuous migratory CMM cells possibly correspond to CMM stem cells or to CMM cells with aberrant HOX gene expression. Their presence is associated with an increased risk for metastases in the regional sentinel lymph nodes. In conclusion, the CMM-stroma connection appears crucial to the growth regulation, invasiveness and initial metastatic spread of CMM cells. Although much remains to be learned in this field, the active intervention of the peri-CMM stroma is likely involved in the inconspicuous early metastatic migration of CMM cells. [less ▲]