Effects of a new topical combination on sensitive skin.

Using well-tolerated cosmetics or those with soothing effects is recommended to treat sensitive skin. However, we lack clinical studies. Two clinical trials were performed on sensitive skin in France and Thailand. The primary objective was to evaluate the preventive soothing effect. The secondary objectives were to evaluate the immediate soothing effect, product tolerance, and impact on quality of life. Evaluation methods included a stinging test and scoring erythema and stinging intensity. We also assessed tolerance, quality of life using the Dermatology Life Quality Index, and cosmetic qualities. The clinical trials were performed in France and Thailand to test efficacy in two different environments and on different ethnic skin. Interesting effects were observed in patients with sensitive skin in France and Thailand: a preventive soothing effect, a soothing effect on erythema, and an immediate soothing effect. In vivo biometrological, sodium lauryl sulfate, and capsaicin tests confirmed these data. A favorable effect on quality of life was also noted. The product was appreciated by volunteers for its efficacy, tolerance, and cosmetic qualities. A preliminary study on the effects on interleukin 8 was also included in the paper.

Differences between women and men with recent-onset axial spondyloarthritis: results from a prospective multicenter French cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify sex differences in early axial spondyloarthritis (SpA). METHODS: In total, 475 patients included in the Devenir des Spondylarthropathies Indifférenciées Récentes (Outcome of Recent Undifferentiated Spondylarthropathies) cohort, a prospective multicenter French cohort of patients with early inflammatory back pain suggestive of SpA, and fulfilling the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) classification criteria for axial SpA were studied. The clinical and imaging features were compared between sexes and according to the clinical or imaging arm of the ASAS criteria using univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Comparisons between the 239 men and 236 women showed that women had higher disease activity when measured by the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Patient Global Score and higher fatigue and functional scores despite having less radiographic sacroiliitis and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) inflammation of sacroiliac joints and the spine than men. Disease activity measured by the C-reactive protein (CRP)-based Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score was not different between men and women. In contrast to patients classified with the clinical arm, disease activity and functional scores did not differ between women and men with sacroiliitis on imaging scans, except for fatigue and the Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life questionnaire. Women with sacroiliitis had more peripheral involvement and more family history, whereas HLA-B27 positivity, elevated CRP, and MRI inflammation of the spine were associated with male sex. CONCLUSION: Women with early axial SpA according to the ASAS criteria had greater disease activity when measured by the BASDAI and worse functioning despite fewer radiologic abnormalities than men. The differences in disease expression may be confounding factors to establish the diagnosis of SpA and to assess disease activity in women, suggesting that the imaging arm is a pivotal measure in the ASAS criteria.

Model of in vitro healing to test the influence of dedifferentiated Crithmum maritimum cells on dermal repair and epidermal regeneration.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to test the influence of dedifferentiated Crithmum maritimum cells (dCMC), totipotent vegetal stem cells, on epidermal regeneration in perfect homeostasis using a skin equivalent (SE) model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SE are prepared by seeding fibroblasts on a collagen-glycosaminoglycan-chitosan dermal substrate (DS) epidermalized by keratinocytes 3 weeks later. The originality of this present study lies in the systemic administration of dCMC from the moment when fibroblasts are seeded in the DS right through to the reconstruction of the SE. The thickness of the epidermis as well as the number of proliferating cells expressing Ki-67 and layers expressing terminal differentiation marker (filaggrin) were compared in the dCMC-treated SE versus an untreated control group. RESULTS: dCMC accelerated the complete regeneration and differentiation of the epidermis compared to the negative control (35 days instead of 42 days). Histology showed a multilayered, thick and differentiated epithelium after 35 days of culture. The basal and suprabasal layers had increased 4.88 ± 0.41 times versus the negative control (Mann-Whitney U test: p < 0.001). This result was attributed to the greater proliferation of basal cells because the cell numbers expressing the Ki-67 proliferation marker had increased significantly compared to the negative control (Mann-Whitney U test: p < 0.001). Moreover, dCMC allowed the differentiated epithelium to recover because only treated SE expressed the terminal differentiation marker filaggrin. CONCLUSION: Our data show that dCMC enhance epidermal cell grafts by stimulating their regeneration and differentiation in perfect homeostasis. They allow the epidermis to recover its structure for protective functions faster than the negative control.

[Fluoroscopy guided L5-S1 transforaminal injection as a treatement for s1 radiculopathy]. / Infiltration foraminale L5-S1 radioguidée dans le traitement de la lombosciatique S1.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of fluoroscopy guided L5-S1 transforaminal steroid injections for the treatment of S1 radiculopathy secondary to intervertebral disk disorder. METHOD: 41 patients were included: prospective study (20 patients) and retrospective study (21 patients). All patients suffered from S1 radiculopathy secondary to nerve root compression by intervertebral disk material, as demonstrated by lumbar spine CT. The patients underwent 2 fluoroscopy guided L5-S1 transforaminal injections of steroid (Hydrocotancyl 125 mg), at 8 days interval. RESULTS: 60% of patients showed significant improvement of their painful radiculopathy at day 8 (n:41), 60-67% at day 30 (n:41) and 67% at day 90 (n:18). CONCLUSION: Fluoroscopy guided L5-S1 transforaminal injection showed good efficacy in the treatment of S1 radiculopathy.

[POEMS syndrome: imaging of skeletal manifestations, a study of 8 cases]. / Imagerie des localisations osseuses du POEMS syndrome: à propos de 8 cas.

PURPOSE: To describe the imaging features of POEMS, and to compare our experience of 8 cases to a review of literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 8 patients (6 men, 2 women) with POEMS. Plain radiographs (8 patients), CT (6), MR (2) were performed. RESULTS: Topographic localizations of POEMS were pelvis (7 cases), spine (5), femur (1), humerus (1), rib cage (1). Focal bone lesions, multiple (5 cases) or solitary (3 cases), were sclerotic in 4 cases, mixed lytic-sclerotic (lytic center and sclerotic rim) in 3 cases and one patient had an osteolytic lesion with sclerotic margins associated with many osteosclerotic lesions. Profilerative osseous changes were seen in 4 cases (pelvis, spine, tibia). MR imaging was performed in 2 patients: in one patient MR imaging revealed areas of low signal intensity on spin echo T1- and T2-weighted images in vertebral bodies, the other showed a lesion of low signal intensity on spin echo T1-weighted and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images in the ilium and adjacent soft tissue. CONCLUSION: The imaging features commonly observed in POEMS syndrome are sclerotic and mixed lytic-sclerotic lesions, particularly in the pelvis and spine. Proliferative new bone formation is detected in 50%. MR imaging correlates with ostesclerotic or mixed lytic-sclerotic appearance.

[Solid pleural-based mass as initial manifestation of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma]. / Localisation tumorale solide sous-pleurale revelatrice d'un lymphome non-Hodgkinien.

Subpleural involvement is a well-known site of advanced or recurrent lymphoma. But, to our knowledge, it has never been described as an initial manifestation of this disease. We report the case of a patient with solid subpleural mass revealing a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.