optimization of sericin removal from tusser silk by autoclaving

Silk is an important biomaterial for tissue engineering purposes due to its improved mechanical and biological properties. The natural fiber has two major components – the structural centre protein chain called fibroin and the outer glue like covering fiber called sericin. It has been well documented that sericin has the immunogenic properties in animal and human physiological system and so the silk is used only after the sericin is removed thus improving the mechanical and biological properties of silk. Removing sericin from silk is called degumming i.e. “removing the gum”. It should be done carefully in a way that the fibroin is not damaged. Sericin is removed by using a base such as anhydrous sodium carbonate as well as autoclaving by using water under pressure. By varying one parameter and keeping the other two fixed we find out the optimum temperature, time, concentration as well as pressure to degum silk such that the sericin is removed optimally and the structural integrity of silk is not lost. By SEM analysis the morphological characteristics of degummed silk was studied.70 degree celsius, 0.02M Na2CO3 and 35 minutes for degumming using Na2CO3 and 15psi, 121 degree celsius, 15 minutes were found to be the optimum parameters for degumming

Black Dot Tinea Capitis: Magnified

Tinea capitis is one of the most prevalent infections in young children. Non-inflammatory, black dot tinea capitis may be difficult to distinguish between other hair disorders in children such as seborrheic dermatitis, alopecia areata, trichotillomania, or Langerhan histiocytosis. This case highlights the salient trichoscopic features of non-inflammatory black dot tinea capitis. Trichoscopy is a fast, noninvasive technique that helps distinguish this common diagnosis and spares the need for scalp biopsies in children. Under magnification, the presence of comma hairs is specific to tinea capitis in all skin types whereas corkscrew hairs have been reported specifically in African American children. Awareness and recognition of this type of hair would exclude the most common differential diagnoses of patchy alopecia in this age and spare the need for biopsy in young children

Desmoplastic Melanoma Arising after 1,064 nm q-Switched Nd:YAG Laser of a Suspected Solar Lentigo

Objectives. To present a case of desmoplastic melanoma (DM) arising after laser therapy of a suspected solar lentigo with the 1,064 nm Q-switched (QS) Neodymium:Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet (Nd:YAG) laser and discuss the safety of treating suspected solar lentigines with laser therapy. Methods. Case presentation with discussion. Results. We describe a patient who developed DM after 1,064 nm QS Nd:YAG laser therapy to a suspected solar lentigo. Conclusions. Limited generalizable studies regarding the safety of laser therapy for solar lentigines exist, specifically for the 1,064 nm QS Nd:YAG laser. Therefore, we recommend caution is taken when considering laser therapy for these lesions, as well as strong consideration for histologic confirmation prior to therapy

Alopecia as a systemic disease

Alopecia is a skin condition of great social and psychologic impact. Primary alopecia originates from the hair follicles and usually does not have systemic manifestations; however, secondary alopecia can affect the hair follicles in the setting of systemic diseases, medications, and external trauma. Connective tissue diseases, granulomatous diseases, bullous diseases, infections, and tumors are some of the systemic diseases that will be covered in this review. Trichoscopy is a useful noninvasive tool that can help with the diagnosis in the office and can guide the selection of the optimal site for the scalp biopsy. Histopathology is the ultimate tool for the diagnosis in most cases of secondary alopecia and can be performed on vertical and horizontal sections. In most cases, treating the underlying condition is the single most important strategy, but topical treatments for the alopecia are also applied

Propionibacterium (Cutibacterium) acnes Bacteriophage Therapy in Acne: Current Evidence and Future Perspectives

Acne vulgaris is the most common dermatological disorder worldwide. It is a multifactorial disease that involves increased sebum production, hyperkeratinization of the pilosebaceous unit, Propionibacterium acnes ( Cutibacterium acnes ) colonization, and inflammation. The human skin microbiome hosts a wide variety of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. A delicate balance of these microorganisms is essential for the barrier function of the skin. Propionibacterium acnes represents nearly 90% of the human skin microbiome of healthy adults. Acne is a chronic recurrent disease that requires long-lasting treatment, which has led to the emergence of antibiotic resistance. New alternatives to traditional therapy are emerging, including antimicrobial peptides, natural engineered antibodies, and bacteriophages. Bacteriophages have been shown to play a role in human skin health and disease. There is evidence supporting phage therapy in many types of skin infections. P. acnes bacteriophages have been isolated and characterized. However, only a few in vitro studies have tested the ability of bacteriophages to kill P. acnes . Furthermore, there is no evidence on bacteriophage therapy in the treatment of acne in humans. In this review, we summarize the most recent evidence regarding P. acnes bacteriophages and the potential role of these bacteriophages in the treatment of acne. Further research on this field will provide the evidence to use phage therapy to decrease rates of antibiotic resistance and restore antibiotic susceptibility of P. acnes

Combination Topical Chemotherapy for the Treatment of an Invasive Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Introduction: Standard of care for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is usually surgical, with either excision or Mohs micrographic surgery. However, surgery may not be ideal for elderly patients with numerous lesions, who are poor surgical candidates or who refuse surgery. Topical 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and imiquimod have been studied off-label as monotherapies in the treatment of SCC in situ with promising results. However, long-term tumor-free survival rates are still less than with surgical management. Methods: We report a case of biopsy-proven invasive SCC in an 86-year-old Caucasian male with history of multiple actinic keratoses and no previous skin cancers. The patient declined surgical treatment due to concerns about cosmetic outcomes. A combination of topical 5% imiquimod cream, 2% 5-FU solution, and 0.1% tretinoin cream was used five nights per week under occlusion for a treatment goal of 30 total applications. The patient was evaluated in clinic every 2 weeks during which the site was treated with cryotherapy. The patient reported burning pain associated with treatment and only completed 24 of the 30 applications. Results: Follow-up biopsy 15 months after completing topical treatment revealed dermal scar with no evidence of residual carcinoma. Conclusion: Topical combination therapy with imiquimod, 5-FU, and tretinoin with intermittent, brief cryotherapy effectively treated a small, invasive SCC in this select patient who deferred surgery. Prospective randomized-controlled clinical trials to assess the role of combination topical treatment for invasive SCCs are warranted. J Drugs Dermatol. 2020;19(2)202-204. doi:10.36849/JDD.2020.222