A systematic review of carbohydrate-based microneedles: current status and future prospects.

Microneedles (MNs) are minimally invasive tridimensional biomedical devices that bypass the skin barrier resulting in systemic and localized pharmacological effects. Historically, biomaterials such as carbohydrates, due to their physicochemical properties, have been used widely to fabricate MNs. Owing to their broad spectrum of functional groups, carbohydrates permit designing and engineering with tunable properties and functionalities. This has led the carbohydrate-based microarrays possessing the great potential to take a futuristic step in detecting, drug delivery, and retorting to biologicals. In this review, the crucial and extensive summary of carbohydrates such as hyaluronic acid, chitin, chitosan, chondroitin sulfate, cellulose, and starch has been discussed systematically, using PRISMA guidelines. It also discusses different approaches for drug delivery and the mechanical properties of biomaterial-based MNs, till date, progress has been achieved in clinical translation of carbohydrate-based MNs, and regulatory requirements for their commercialization. In conclusion, it describes a brief perspective on the future prospects of carbohydrate-based MNs referred to as the new class of topical drug delivery systems.

Regenerative medicine in dermatology: biomaterials, tissue engineering, stem cells, gene transfer and beyond.

The term 'regenerative medicine' refers to a new and expanding field in biomedical research that focuses on the development of innovative therapies allowing the body to replace, restore and regenerate damaged or diseased cells, tissues and organs. It combines several technological approaches including the use of soluble molecules, biomaterials, tissue engineering, gene therapy, stem cell transplantation and the reprogramming of cell and tissue types. Because of its easy accessibility, skin is becoming an attractive model organ for regenerative medicine. Here, we review recent developments in regenerative medicine and their potential relevance for dermatology with a particular emphasis on biomaterials, tissue engineering, skin substitutes and stem cell-based therapies for skin reconstitution in patients suffering from chronic wounds and extensive burns.

[What's new in aesthetic dermatology: filler and laser treatments]. / Quoi de neuf en dermatologie esthétique : comblement et lasers.

In esthetic dermatology, filling and laser treatments are two essential techniques. Several recent studies on calcium hydroxyapatite in filling treatments and facial volumetry, in esthetics, but also in HIV patients, have been published. It was also tested in accentuated melomental folds where it is superior to hyaluronic acid. In aging of the skin of the dorsal aspect of the hands, hyaluronic acid provides slightly better results than collagen. Filler rhinoplasty can correct minor deformations of the nose. Lipofilling is advantageous for linear scleroderma of the face, at least in the forehead region, and adipocyte stem cells may be a future solution for facial aging or lipoatrophy. The risk of local and/or general sarcoid reactions related to interferon in patients having undergone filling injections has been reported. In the field of laser treatment, fractionated photothermolysis has motivated much more research and seem particularly valuable in treating acne scars, aging of the dorsal aspect of the hands, and, more anecdotally, in colloid milium and pearly penile papules. Laser is also useful in preventing surgical scars where a mini-diode can also be used. For axillary hyperhidrosis, subdermic Nd-YAG laser competes with botulinum toxin, with longer-lasting results. Solutions are appearing for treatment of red or white striae cutis distensae. Intense pulsed light is the reference technique for poikiloderma of Civatte, and seems effective, with new devices, for melasma. However, inappropriately used by nonphysicians, IPL can cause serious ocular accidents; one case of uveitis has been reported.

Focus on the Different Projects of Telemedicine Centered on the Elderly In France.

Telemedicine is now in vogue, allowing computer and communication tools to be deployed in different fields of health, such as Cardiology, Dermatology, areas in which it has received interest, and in international studies. As the population ages, older people are increasingly concerned about this innovative practice. This is a narrative review of both the literature and Internet pertaining to telemedicine projects within the field of geriatric subjects in France. Since the beginning of the 2000's, several telemedicine projects and trials focused on chronic heart failure have been developed in the elderly, and also in the field of dermatology. The potential contribution of second-generation telemedicine projects in terms of mortality, morbidity, and the number of hospitalizations avoided is currently under study. Their impact in terms of health economics is likewise being investigated, taking into account that the economic and social benefits brought up by telemedicine solutions were previously validated by the original telemedicine projects. We take a look at telemedicine projects in France concerning the elderly.

Impact of prophylactic human papillomavirus vaccines on dermatology and venereology.

Prophylactic HPV L1 VLP quadrivalent and bivalent vaccines have a great importance for patients seen by dermatologists and venereologists. Both vaccines protect against HPV16- and HPV 18-associated anogenital cancers, as well as cancers of the mouth, the upper respiratory tract and skin, especially of the fingers and periungual region. The quadrivalent HPV6, 11, 16, 18 vaccine also prevents anogenital warts (condylomata acuminata) which are the most common benign tumors of this body region. HPV-vaccination (Gardasil) has been approved in Germany and other European Countries since October 2006 for young girls between 9-16 and young women between 16-26 years of age. Many experts feel that boys and young men should also be vaccinated. Men would profit from a vaccine that protects against HPV infections, especially anogenital warts, as well as penile and anal carcinomas. In immunosuppressed organ transplant recipients and HIV-positive patients. HPV disease can be widespread, chronic and often may rapidly progress to malignant tumors. Thus, these individuals would greatly benefit from prophylactic HPV immunization.

Tuberous sclerosis complex: advances in diagnosis, genetics, and management.

UNLABELLED: Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant multisystem neurocutaneous syndrome characterized by the development of multiple hamartomas distributed throughout the body, skin, brain, heart, kidneys, liver, and lungs. Two-thirds of patients represent sporadic mutations. The classic triad is seizures, mental retardation, and cutaneous angiofibromas. However, the full triad occurs in only 29% of patients; 6% of them lack all three of them. Two tumor suppressor genes responsible for TSC have been identified: TSC1 gene on chromosome 9 and TSC2 on chromosome 16. This article highlights the most recent significant advances in the diagnosis and genetics of TSC, along with a discussion on the limitations and the usefulness of the revised 1998 clinical criteria for the tuberous sclerosis complex. The "ash leaf" macule often comes in other shapes, such as round; most are polygonal, usually 0.5 cm to 2.0 cm in diameter, resembling a thumbprint. Since the death of its describer, Thomas Fitzpatrick, we call each a "Fitzpatrick patch." Special attention is paid in this work to TSC treatment options, including therapeutic trials with rapamycin, also known as sirolimus. LEARNING OBJECTIVE: After completing this learning activity, participants should familiar with tuberous sclerosis complex, its cutaneous signs and systemic findings stratified by patient age, its genetics, and the potential for meaningful therapeutic intervention.

Liposomal systems as drug delivery vehicles for dermal and transdermal applications.

Enhancement strategies are necessary to improve the dermal/transdermal bioavailability of drugs applied to the skin due to its amazing barrier, the stratum corneum. Strategies to overcome this barrier, thus improving drug release to the skin include the use of penetration enhancers, specific delivery systems, supersaturated solutions and physical methods (iontophoresis, electroporation and ultrasound). Delivery of active agents to the skin by liposomal carriers has improved topical therapy in the field of dermatology. The interest in these carriers is based on their potential to enclose various types of biological materials and to deliver them to diverse cell types. Particularly, in recent years liposomes have been shown to be a promising drug-delivery system to the skin. Their use may produce several-fold higher drug concentrations in the epidermis and dermis and lower systemic concentrations when compared to conventional dosage forms. On the other hand, special characteristic vesicles like ethosomes, transfersomes and niosomes may be potential transdermal delivery systems for ionic molecules and polypeptides.

Polymeric nanoparticles in dermocosmetic / Nanopartículas poliméricas en dermocosmética

Recent advances in the fields of biomaterials and nanotechnology have allowed the development of advanced nanoparticles for biomedical applications. Despite a vast number of nanostructures such as liposomes, solid­lipid nanocapsules, polymeric and hybrid lipid­polymer nanoparticles have been studied as carriers for drug delivery for different pathologies with remarkable promising results; the use of polymeric nanoparticles in dermocosmetic still has not been widely explored. The evolution of cosmetic into the care skin and dermatology represents novel technological challenges. Also, the increasing knowledge about normal skin physiology and advances in nanotechnology provide an attractive environment for the creation of innovative dermocosmetic formulations. In this work, we discuss the state of the art of polymeric nanoparticles formulated for dermocosmetics, its mechanisms of action, and diffusion into the skin.

Los recientes avances en el campo de los biomateriales y la nanotecnología han permitido el desarrollo de nanopartículas avanzadas para aplicaciones biomédicas. A pesar de que un gran número de nanoestructuras tales como liposomas, nanocápsulas lípido-sólidas, nanopartículas poliméricas y lípido-polímero híbridas han sido estudiadas como vehículos para la administración de fármacos en diferentes patologías con notables resultados prometedores, el uso de nanopartículas poliméricas en dermocosmética todavía no ha sido ampliamente explorado. La evolución de la cosmética en el cuidado de la piel y la dermatología nos enfrentan a nuevos retos tecnológicos. Además, el aumento de los conocimientos sobre la fisiología de la piel normal y los avances en la nanotecnología proporcionan un entorno atractivo para la creación de formulaciones dermocosméticas innovadoras. En este trabajo se discute el estado del arte de las nanopartículas poliméricas desarrolladas para dermocosmética, sus mecanismos de acción y la difusión en la piel.

Cosmeceuticals and patents: the physician and dentist brands.

In response to consumer and patient demands for the newest, clinically proven technologies, physicians are increasingly developing and patenting their own products. Patented technologies come in many forms from new bioengineered molecules, to new uses of old compounds, to multiple ingredient complexes that work synergistically.

[Impact of prophylactic HPV vaccines on dermatology and venereology]. / Bedeutung der prophylaktischen HPV-Vakzine für die Dermatologie und Venerologie.

Prophylactic HPV L1 VLP quadrivalent and bivalent vaccines are of great importance for patients seen by dermatologists and venereologists. Both vaccines protect against HPV16- and HPV18-associated anogenital cancers, as well as cancers of the mouth, the upper respiratory tract and skin, especially of the fingers and periungual region. The quadrivalent HPV6, 11, 16, 18 vaccine also prevents anogenital warts (condylomata acuminata) which are the most common benign tumors of this body region. HPV-vaccination (Gardasil) has been approved in Germany since October 2006 for young girls between 9-16 and young women between 16-26 years of age. Many experts feel that boys and young men should also be vaccinated. Men would profit from a vaccine that protects against HPV infections, especially anogenital warts, as well as penile and anal carcinomas. In immunosuppressed organ transplant recipients and HIV-positive individuals, HPV can be widespread, chronic and often rapidly progressive to malignant tumors; thus these groups would greatly benefit from HPV immunization.

Prevalence and methodology of evaluation for latex allergy among allergists in the United States: results of a cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: Natural rubber latex allergy is a potentially life-threatening, Type I, immediate allergic reaction. Despite great strides in identification of high-risk groups, methods for diagnosis remain limited in the United States. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of evaluation for latex allergy and methodologies used by allergists in the United States. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of all US Fellows of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology was conducted. RESULTS: Of 1,239 questionnaires mailed, 519 (42%) were returned. Ninety-five percent of responding allergists reported evaluating patients for latex allergy. RAST and skin prick testing were the most commonly used tests. Sixty-two percent of respondents reported performing prick testing for latex allergy, with those in academic practices significantly more likely to do so. Whereas respondents practicing in the Northern United States were significantly more likely to evaluate for latex allergy than those in the Southern United States, no associations were found between practice location and prick testing for latex allergy. There was no association between practice type and evaluation for latex allergy. Only 6% of allergists reported ever witnessing a patient with anaphylaxis during latex allergy testing. CONCLUSIONS: Almost all responding allergists evaluated patients for latex allergy, with approximately two thirds utilizing prick testing.