Association between bleeding periodontal pockets and eczemas: Results of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966.

AIM: To investigate whether the periodontal condition as measured by bleeding periodontal pockets is associated with atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and eczema nummulare. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population (n = 1871) was obtained from the 46-year follow-up study of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 study (NFBC1966). The periodontal condition was measured by the number of sites with bleeding periodontal pockets that were ≥4 mm deep. The whole skin of the participants was clinically examined, and diagnoses of skin diseases were made according to the International Classification of Diseases. Prevalence rate ratios (PRR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were estimated using Poisson regression models with robust error variance. RESULTS: In this cohort, comprising 46-year-old participants of NFBC1966, the presence of 1-3 and ≥4 bleeding-deepened periodontal pockets (≥4 mm deep) were associated with seborrheic dermatitis (PRR 1.9, 95% CI: 1.3-2.8 and PRR 2.2, 95% CI: 1.4-3.3, respectively) and with eczema nummulare (PRR 1.7, 95% CI: 0.9-3.1 and PRR 1.7, 95% CI: 0.9-3.3, respectively). For non-smokers, the corresponding estimates were 1.7 for seborrheic dermatitis (95% CI: 1.1-2.6) and 1.8 (95% CI: 1.1-3.1) and 1.4 for eczema nummulare (95% CI: 0.7-2.9) and 1.2 (95% CI: 0.5-2.9), respectively. No association was found between bleeding-deepened periodontal pockets and atopic dermatitis. Further adjustments for C-reactive protein, diabetes, and inflammatory diseases did not essentially change the risk estimates among either the total population or the non-smokers. CONCLUSION: Bleeding periodontal pockets appeared to be associated with the presence of seborrheic dermatitis and eczema nummulare.

Melanocortin 5 receptor signaling pathway in health and disease.

Melanocortin hormone system plays a key role in maintaining the homeostasis of our body via their neuro-immune-endocrine activities and regulates a diverse array of physiological functions, including melanogenesis, inflammation, immunomodulation, adrenocortical steroidogenesis, hemodynamics, natriuresis, energy homeostasis, sexual function, and exocrine secretion. The pathobiologic actions of all melanocortins are conveyed by melanocortin receptors. As the last melanocortin receptor to be cloned and characterized, melanocortin receptor 5 (MC5R) is widely expressed in both central nervous system and a number of peripheral organ systems in man. However, the exact effect of the MC5R mediated melanocortinergic signaling remains largely uncertain. Owing to the recent advances in developing highly selective peptidomimetic agonists and antagonists of MC5R and also to studies in MC5R knockout animals, our understanding of MC5R pathobiology has been greatly expanded and strengthened. Evidence suggests that MC5R plays a key role in governing immune reaction and inflammatory response, and is pivotal for the regulation of sexual behavior, thermoregulation, and exocrine secretion, like sebogenesis, lacrimal secretion and release of sex pheromones. As such, recent translational efforts have focused on developing novel sebum-suppressive therapies for seborrhoea and acne vulgaris based on antagonizing MC5R. Conversely, selective MC5R agonists have demonstrated promising beneficial effects in immune-mediated diseases, metabolic endocrinopathies and other disease conditions, such as glomerular diseases and dry eyes, skin and mouth. Thus, MC5R-mediated signaling is essential for health. Therapeutic targeting of MC5R represents a promising and pragmatic therapeutic strategy for diverse diseases. This review article delineates the biophysiology of MC5R-mediated biophysiology of the melanocortin hormone system, discusses the existing data on MC5R-targeted therapy in experimental disease models, and envisages the translational potential for treating human diseases.

[The influence of macromolecular excipients on the process of mass transfer at the boundary phase from a model anti-dandruff preparation into the external compartment under in vitro conditions]. / Wplyw wielkoczasteczkowych substancji pomocniczych na proces wymiany masy na granicy faz z modelowego preparatu przeciwlupiezowego do kompartmentu zewnetrznego w warunkach in vitro.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the research was the application assessment of a model preparation--anti-dandruff emulsion. The experiments was conducted under in vitro conditions using of a model system of human skin, which are cellulose dialysis membranes with a standardized pore size. The behaviour of the preparation on the dialysis membrane was analyzed, and the degree of film formation performing the function of a protective barrier was evaluated after gentle rinsing with tepid water without cleaning agents. It was checked whether the product layer remaining on the membrane product layer does not block diffusion and penetration processes. Additionally, an attempt to assess the character of the layer with the use of a hydrophilic marker was made. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Model anti-dandruff emulsion, Servapor Dialysis Tubing 100 dialysis membranes with a wall thickness d = 0.1 mm and a declared pore diameter phi = 25 A degrees, sodium chloride, purified water--assessment of the residue level of the analyzed preparation on the dialysis membrane. Examination on the marker diffusion through the dialysis membrane covered with the model anti-dandruff preparation, Approximation of the obtained results. RESULTS: The first phase of the experiment was the preparation of dialysis membranes for the adsorption process of a model anti-dandruff preparation, then its adsorption, rinsing with tepid water and the measurement of residue level of the product on the membrane control. It has been observed that the mass of the membrane on which the preparation was applied increased in relation to the membrane from a control sample. The mass increase of the membrane in a research sample is accompanied with the increase of its thickness caused by the adsorbed amount of the product and water on the membrane. The diffusion through the membrane in a control sample turned out to be slightly slower what may indicate the character of the membrane residue of the model anti-dandruff preparation. CONCLUSIONS; The technology of model anti-dandruff emulsion enables the formation of a layer forming a specific protective barrier on the surface of the dialysis membrane. The presence of the layer of model anti-dandruff emulsion on the membrane is confirmed by mean values of mass and thickness increase of the dialysis membrane. The hydrophobic diffusion layer is of a variable character. The properly applied emulsion under "in vivo" conditions might fill voids of the corneal layer of epidermis creating a structure of a film character performing the function of a protective barrier. On the basis of the in vitro assessment, the therapeutic effectiveness under in vivo conditions may be concluded.

The effects of alcohol and illicit drug use on the skin.

Early identification of cutaneous manifestations of alcohol and illicit drug use can aid in the diagnosis and management of these uses, as well as their sequelae. In addition, the effects of alcohol and illicit drug use on the skin can result in significant morbidity. Alcohol misuse can present with jaundice, pruritus, pigmentary alterations, urticaria, hair and nail changes, and oral changes. It is also a risk factor for skin cancer and infections. Vascular disturbances associated with alcohol misuse include telangiectasias, palmar erythema, caput medusae, and flushing. Diseases related to alcohol misuse include nutritional deficiencies, porphyria cutanea tarda, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, nummular dermatitis, and rosacea. Other conditions seen in alcohol misuse include Dupuytren contracture, Peyronie disease, and pancreatitis. Dermatologists should also be aware of hepatotoxic medications that are commonly prescribed for skin diseases so as to avoid initiating hepatoxicity in patients who use alcohol. Illicit drug use can manifest with cutaneous fibrosis, scarring, granulomas, ulceration, pruritus, infections, cocaine-levamisole-induced vasculitis, tooth decay, and oral disease. By recognizing the cutaneous stigmata of alcohol and illicit drug use, dermatologists can aid in the identification and treatment of patients suffering from these addictions.

Mucocutaneous manifestations in 150 HIV-infected Indian patients and their relationship with CD4 lymphocyte counts.

Mucocutaneous findings in 150 HIV+ve cases (F, 79; M, 71) were evaluated over a one-year period. Mucocutaneous manifestations were seen in 96% with 2.9 mean number of dermatoses and mean cluster of differentiation (CD4) count of 196.33 cells/mm(3). The highest number of mean dermatoses, 3.29, was seen in individuals with severe immunosuppression. The most common mucocutaneous manifestation seen was candidiasis (35.33%), followed by seborrhoeic dermatitis (31.33%), oral pigmentation (29.33%), xerosis/ichthyosis (22.67%), pyodermas (22%), periodontitis (17.33%) and nail pigmentation (16.67%). Patient stratification according to the WHO immunological staging, according to CD4 counts, showed a statistically significant association (P < 0.05) for candidiasis, scabies, paronychia, oral pigmentation and diffuse hair loss. Nail and oral pigmentary changes, trichomegaly and subcutaneous fungal infections caused by dermatophytes were highlights of the study. Incidences of xerosis/ichthyosis, pyodermas, scabies and molluscum contagiosum reported in our study were higher and pruritic popular eruptions was lower than those in previous Indian studies. Cutaneous neoplasms were not seen in the present study.

Itch in Special Skin Locations Management.

Itch management can be particularly complicated in some small areas like the scalp or the anogenital region for many reasons: the frequently poor diagnosis of the causes of itch in these areas, the dense innervation of these areas, and the symbolic value of these areas for the human psyche. The diagnosis of itchy scalp is easier than that of anogenital pruritus. Clinical examination and a careful inventory of all diseases of the patient and of the local environment are necessary. Localized treatments are frequently used at both sites, whereas specific pharmaceutical formulations are necessary for the pilose or the mucous environment. Nonetheless, systemic treatments or psychological interventions can be very useful.

A 40-100 MHz B-scan ultrasound backscatter microscope for skin imaging.

There is a growing interest in high resolution, subsurface imaging of cutaneous tissues using higher frequency ultrasound, and several commercial systems have been developed recently which operate at 20 MHz. Some of the possible applications of higher frequency skin imaging include tumour staging, boundary definition, and studies of the response of tumours to therapy, investigations of inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema, and basic studies of skin aging, sun damage and the effects of irritants. Investigation of these areas is quite new, and the role of ultrasound skin imaging is continuing to evolve. Lateral resolution in the 20 MHz imaging systems ranges from 200 to 300 microns, which limits imaging applications to cutaneous structures which are relatively large in size. In this paper, a real-time ultrasound backscatter microscope (UBM) for skin imaging is described which operates in the 40-100 MHz range, providing axial resolution between 17 and 30 microns and lateral resolution between 33 and 94 microns. This improvement in resolution over current skin ultrasound systems should prove useful in determining the margins of small skin lesions, and in obtaining more precise, in vivo skin thickness measurements to characterize nonmalignant skin disease. Example images of normal skin, seborrhoeic keratosis and malignant melanoma illustrate the imaging potential of this system.

Seborrheic keratosis and papillomatosis: markers of breast adenocarcinoma.

Seborrheic keratosis (Leser-Trélat sign) and extensive florid papillomatosis of the skin and the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth, throat, and external genitalia were associated with adenocarcinoma of the breast in a 61-year-old woman.

Characterization of lichenoid-psoriasiform dermatosis of springer spaniels.

Three unrelated Springer Spaniels were examined because of chronic dermatitis. Their ages at onset of clinical signs were 4, 5, and 18 months. The initial lesions consisted of erythematous papules and plaques, with corrugated surfaces in the ear canal and in the inguinal area. Later, papules, scale, and adherent keratin mounds developed inside the ear, in the inguinal area, around the mouth, eyes, and anus, and occasionally on the thoracic wall and the limbs. In one case, the nose was involved and there was accompanying depigmentation. The disease waxed and waned for the 10-month, 18-month and 3-year periods of observation, with various treatments proving unsuccessful. Corticosteroids at high doses and antibiotics appeared to mitigate the severity of the disease. Histopathologic interpretation enabled classification of the disease process within both psoriasiform and lichenoid tissue reactions. In view of the apparent breed predisposition and the gross and microscopic appearance of the lesions, it was proposed that the name for this disease be lichenoid-psoriasiform dermatosis of Springer Spaniels. This disease would be clinically classified as seborrhea and could be differentiated within this group by the presence of erythematous papules and plaques along with accurate histologic assessment.

[Ozone therapy with the OzonyTron apparatus]. / Terapia ozonowa aparatem OzonyTron.

PURPOSE: OzonyTron is one of the newest devices for the generation of ozone. The aim of this study was to assess the benefits of ozone in some pathologies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ozone therapy was used in 20 patients, including eight with lip herpes, five after dental surgery and chiseling of third molars, six with seborrheal inflammation of facial skin and one with mycosis of the toes. RESULTS: Treatment with OzonyTron is noninvasive and painless. The oxidative properties of ozone are exploited to combat microbial infection. Thus, the device is valuable primarily for its antiseptic action. Following ozone therapy, a very good effect was observed in each case.

Oral use of biotin in seborrhoeic dermatitis of infancy: a controlled trial.

A double-blind cross-over trial of biotin given by mouth in the treatment of seborrhoeic dermatitis of infancy did not show a statistically significant advantage of biotin over placebo.

Comparison of the kinetics of sebum secretion in young women with and without acne.

We utilized a sebum-sensitive adhesive film, Sebutape, to visualize the pore patterns of women with and without acne with computerized image analysis. In normal young women, we found a positive correlation between the number of active sebaceous follicles and total sebum excretion. When seborrhea was intense, this correlation was however lost. The situation was more complex in acne. The severity of seborrhea was positively correlated with the mean sebum excretion of individual follicles but not with the number of active follicles.

Perioral dermatitis, an important side-effect of corticosteroids.

Perioral dermatitis has been ascribed to the use of oral contraceptives, cosmetics, toothpastes of to an infection with Candida or Fusobacteria, etc. However, seborrheic diathesis, together with the use of potent topical steroids, appeared to be the main cause of the affection. This was confirmed with the help of a number observations in the clinic and by inference from data regarding the geographical spread of the potent steroids.

Non-steroid skin cream in traumatic dermatoses: A clinical open evaluation.

Attention is drawn to the unwanted side effects of the long-term topical use of steroids on the skin. The topical use of steroids in conditions in which immunological factors are not involved is not necessary. An open clinical evaluation demonstrated that simple protective applications are quite effective in these conditions.

Hypoplastic enamel, onycholysis, and hypohidrosis inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. A review of ectodermal dysplasia syndromes.

A syndrome consisting of a hypocalcified-hypoplastic enamel, onycholysis with subungual hyperkeratosis, seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp, and hypofunction of the sweat glands with rough dry skin is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait in a kindred of Caucasian ancestry.