How I treat dandruff

peer reviewedDandruff and seborrheic dermatitis form a continuum of desquamative conditions associated with the excessive colonization of the stratum corneum by yeasts of the genus Malassezia spp. Such colonization is heterogeneous in density, ranging from discrete to abundant according to the fungal ability to adhere to individual corneocytes. The rate of action of antidandruff shampoos shed some doubts about a direct antifungal effect, but rather suggests the involvement of innate immune defenses and the chemical alteration of molecular adhesion modalities between Malassezia and corneocytes

Sweat Gland Awakening on Physical Training: A Skin Capacitance Mapping Observation

peer reviewedSkin capacitance mapping (SCM) is an established real-time noninvasive method useful in the assessment of sweat production. We presently review and explore the sweat gland production following a mild 10-min physical training on a cycloergometer. Sprouts of sweat vapor are progressively increased by recruiting increasing numbers of active sweat pores. An overall moisturization of the stratum corneum ensues, and liquid sweat appears in a further step. These aspects are conveniently assessed using SCM while blind assessments of the skin surface water loss cannot distinguish these functional features

Dermocosmetology as a support for targeted oncologic treatment.

peer reviewedSome recently introduced targeted treatments in cancerology are responsible for adverse effects on the skin. These events alter the patient well-being. Adequate dermocosmetic management allows to curb the unwanted skin conditions without interfering with the targeted therapeutic effects. However, evidence-based support for using dermocosmetic products as adjunctive cancer treatment remains scarce. It remains nonetheless that the clinical perception is unanimously favourable for such procedure

Gaïa, le stress géoclimatique et la peau.

Le Soleil est à l’origine de la vie sur Terre. Le grand ensemble d’interactions biogéochimiques entre la vie, le sol, l’atmosphère et l’océan n’est pas sans rappeler la physiologie d’un grand organisme unique. Ce dernier a reçu le nom de Gaïa. Tout le fonctionnement de la biosphère qui en fait partie est largement dépendant de l’apport énergétique solaire. Celui-ci est diversifié car le spectre des rayonnements électromagnétiques est large et variable en intensité et en nature. Le réchauffement global de la Terre et le « trou d’ozone » sont sous les feux de l’actualité. De tels bouleversements sont-ils la préfiguration d’une apocalypse ? L’écologie et la dérive géoclimatique vont-elles influencer la dermatologie de demain

How I treat ... basal cell carcinoma by imiquimod.

peer reviewedBasal cell carcinoma is the most frequent cancer in humans. Several clinical types are distinguished. They are bound to distinct evolutive prognosis. The surgical excision is the treatment of choice which is rarely followed by recurrence. However, when the lesion is superficial and non aggressive and when the body site is adequate, topical applications of imiquimod can provoke the neoplastic regression. This type of immunotherapy brings 70 to 90% complete remission. A medical follow-up of the treated site is mandatory for a couple of years

The MAP kinase cascade. A key target for treatments in skin cancerology.

Résumé : Les «Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases» (MAPK) forment un ensemble coordonné de protéines cellulaires impliquées dans la prolifération, la différenciation, la migration et l’apoptose des cellules. Elles sont particulièrement activées, par certaines cytokines, hormones, le stress environnemental, ainsi que dans des cancers cutanés. Des agents pharmacologiques ciblés contre la cascade MAPK révolutionnent actuellement la cancérologie cutanée, du moins dans une phase transitoire du processus métastatique. Des traitements combinés sont susceptibles d’améliorer la survie médiane.Peer reviewe

The weather-beaten dorsal hand. Clinical rating, shadow casting optical profilometry and skin capacitance mapping.

Peer reviewe

Molecular Dermatopathology in Malignant Melanoma

At present, immunohistochemistry is taken for granted in the establishment of malignant melanoma (MM) diagnosis. In recent years, molecular diagnosis in dermatopathology has benefited from a vast array of advances in the fields of genomics and proteomics. Sensitive techniques are available for detecting specific DNA and RNA sequences by molecular hybridization. This paper intends to update methods of molecular cytogenetics available as diagnostic adjuncts in the field of MM. Cytogenetics has highlighted the pathogenesis of atypical melanocytic neoplasms with emphasis on the activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathway during the initiation step of the neoplasms. 20 to 40% of MM families have mutations in the tumour suppressor gene p16 or CDKN2A. In addition, somatic mutations in p16, p53, BRAF, and cKIT are present in MM. Genome-wide scan analyses on MM indicate positive associations for genes involved in melanocytic naevi, but MM is likely caused by a variety of common low-penetrance genes. Molecular dermatopathology is expanding, and its use in the assessment of melanocytic neoplasms appears to be promising in the fields of research and diagnosis. Molecular dermatopathology will probably make its way to an increased number of diagnostic laboratories. The expected benefit should improve the patient management. This evolution points to a need for evolution in the training requirements and role of dermatopathologists