Histological Comparison of Two Cryopeeling Methods for Photodamaged Skin

Background. Cryopeeling is a technique that uses cryotherapy not only on actinic keratoses lesions, but also all over the photodamaged skin. Objectives. To investigate the histological changes induced by two cryopeeling methods (liquid nitrogen (LN) and portable system (PS)). Methods. Sixteen patients (n=16) with multiple actinic keratoses on the forearms were treated with cryopeeling technique using LN for one forearm and PS for the other, randomly. Skin biopsies were taken before and after the procedures. Results. There was no statistical difference between the epidermal and Grenz zone thicknesses or density of elastic fibers after treatments. The amount of melanin pigment was lower after PS treatment (P<0.05). In a blind analysis of paired pre- and postprocedure slides, it was not possible to identify cases which underwent treatment, both in global analysis of quality of the skin and in specific analysis (considering only the aspect of stratum corneum). Discussion. The results indicate the inconsistency of histological improvement after treatments, and, likely, since the method causes superficial exfoliation, a reliable marker was not found in the analysis. Conclusions. Despite cosmetic benefits on photodamaged skin and efficient treatment of actinic keratoses lesions, cryopeeling was not able to induce measurable histological changes in solar elastosis, epidermal organization, or epidermal and Grenz zone thicknesses. One should keep in mind the possibility of hypopigmentation risk of the method.

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Transcriptomic analysis identifies differences in gene expression in actinic keratoses after treatment with imiquimod and between responders and non responders

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-88424-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Megan H. Trager ◽

Emanuelle Rizk ◽

Sharon Rose ◽

Kuixi Zhu ◽

Branden Lau ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Distinct Pattern ◽

Study Endpoint ◽

Inflammatory Gene Expression ◽

Immune Modulators ◽

Actinic Keratoses ◽

Before And After ◽

Pre Treatment

AbstractThe presence of actinic keratoses (AKs) increases a patient’s risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma by greater than six-fold. We evaluated the effect of topical treatment with imiquimod on the tumor microenvironment by measuring transcriptomic differences in AKs before and after treatment with imiquimod 3.75%. Biopsies were collected prospectively from 21 patients and examined histologically. RNA was extracted and transcriptomic analyses of 788 genes were performed using the nanoString assay. Imiquimod decreased number of AKs by study endpoint at week 14 (p < 0.0001). Post-imiquimod therapy, levels of CDK1, CXCL13, IL1B, GADPH, TTK, ILF3, EWSR1, BIRC5, PLAUR, ISG20, and C1QBP were significantly lower (adjusted p < 0.05). Complete responders (CR) exhibited a distinct pattern of inflammatory gene expression pre-treatment relative to incomplete responders (IR), with alterations in 15 inflammatory pathways (p < 0.05) reflecting differential expression of 103 genes (p < 0.05). Presence of adverse effects was associated with improved treatment response. Differences in gene expression were found between pre-treatment samples in CR versus IR, suggesting that higher levels of inflammation pre-treament may play a part in regression of AKs. Further characterization of the immune micro-environment in AKs may help develop biomarkers predictive of response to topical immune modulators and may guide therapy.

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Effects of Combination Chemical Peel on Facial Photodamaged Skin

The American Journal of Cosmetic Surgery ◽

10.1177/074880689801500307 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 15 (3) ◽

pp. 263-271 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

May H. El Samahy ◽

Mohamed M. Ghoz ◽

Naglaa Ramzy

Keyword(s):

Glycolic Acid ◽

Electron Microscopic Examination ◽

Ultrastructural Changes ◽

Elastic Fibers ◽

Electron Microscopic ◽

Trichloracetic Acid ◽

Age Related ◽

Photodamaged Skin ◽

Microscopic Studies ◽

Activated Fibroblasts

Introduction: Chemical peeling involves the topical application of a wounding agent with the goal of effecting an organized regeneration of the skin. The histologic and ultrastructural features of actinic and age-related damage include structural abnormalities that disrupt normal epidermal and dermal architecture. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the clinical and histologic effects of an enhanced medium-depth peel on photodamaged skin. We aimed to correlate the clinical and histologic findings with the ultrastructural changes occurring after the peel. These ultrastructural features are supposed to be more precise and informative than the clinical or histological response. They may also be employed as markers of peel response. Materials and Methods: In the present study, five patients with actinically damaged skin underwent enhanced medium-depth peels using 70% glycolic acid and 35% trichloracetic acid. Biopsy specimens were taken before the peel and 3 months after the peel for histologic and electron microscopic examination. Results: Clinical resolution of actinic damage corresponded with restoration of epidermal polarity. Characteristic histologic and ultrastructural features of the skin after peeling include markedly decreased epidermal intracytoplasmic vacuoles, decreased elastic fibers, increased activated fibroblasts, and organized parallel arrays of collagen fibrils. The diameters of individual fibrils are consistent with recent production of collagen by activated fibroblasts. Conclusion: Glycolic acid—tricholoro-acetic acid (GA-TCA) is an effective combination for a medium-depth peel in photodamaged skin both clinically and histologically. Electron microscopic studies following medium-depth peels reveal changes more profound than those seen histologically. The characteristic changes occurring in the keratinocytes, collagen, and elastic fibrils may be considered as guidelines or markers of the peel response.

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Treatment of post-menopausal acne with tretinoin lotion 0.05% delivers rapid results and concomitant benefits

SAGE Open Medical Case Reports ◽

10.1177/2050313x20929798 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

pp. 2050313X2092979

Author(s):

Archana M Sangha

Keyword(s):

Prolonged Exposure ◽

First Line ◽

Topical Tretinoin ◽

Sustained Improvement ◽

Actinic Keratoses ◽

First Line Therapy ◽

Line Therapy ◽

Topical Retinoids ◽

Photodamaged Skin ◽

Post Menopausal

We describe a case of comedonal acne in a post-menopausal female treated with a novel tretinoin lotion 0.05%. The patient also had some actinic keratoses, which are hyperkeratotic, scaly lesions caused by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation. These lesions have the ability to progress into squamous cell carcinoma. Actinic keratoses can occur in patients as young as 20 years, but are more common in patients aged 50 years and older. Topical retinoids are recommended as monotherapy in comedonal acne but despite their documented clinical efficacy are underutilized due to concerns about cutaneous tolerability. Topical tretinoin is currently not recommended as first-line therapy in the treatment of actinic keratosis as its efficacy is not comparable to that of other modalities. In this patient, a novel tretinoin lotion 0.05% resulted in rapid in and sustained improvement of acne. The investigator also observed improvement in actinic keratoses and photodamage. If these results can be confirmed in a larger patient population this may be an attractive area of investigation for the treatment of patients with adult acne and photodamaged skin.

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Protective Antigen as a Correlative Marker for Anthrax in Animal Models

Infection and Immunity ◽

10.1128/iai.00792-06 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 74 (10) ◽

pp. 5871-5876 ◽

Cited By ~ 58

Author(s):

David Kobiler ◽

Shay Weiss ◽

Haim Levy ◽

Morly Fisher ◽

Adva Mechaly ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Animal Models ◽

Protective Antigen ◽

Therapeutic Window ◽

Bacterial Antigen ◽

Airborne Spores ◽

Efficient Treatment ◽

Time To Death ◽

Inhalation Anthrax ◽

Reliable Marker ◽

Time Required

ABSTRACT The most aggressive form of anthrax results from inhalation of airborne spores of Bacillus anthracis and usually progresses unnoticed in the early stages because of unspecific symptoms. The only reliable marker of anthrax is development of bacteremia, which increases with disease progress. Rapid diagnosis of anthrax is imperative for efficient treatment and cure. Herein we demonstrate that the presence and level of a bacterial antigen, the protective antigen (PA), a component of B. anthracis toxins, in host sera can serve as a reliable marker of infection. This was tested in two animal models of inhalation anthrax, rabbits and guinea pigs infected by intranasal instillation of Vollum spores. In both models, we demonstrated qualitative and quantitative correlations between levels of bacteremia and PA concentrations in the sera of sick animals. The average time to death in infected animals was about 16 h after the appearance of bacteremia, leaving a small therapeutic window. As the time required for immunodetection of PA can be very short, the use of this marker will be beneficial for faster diagnosis and treatment of inhalation anthrax.

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Meta-Analysis of Differential miRNA Expression after Bariatric Surgery

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm8081220 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (8) ◽

pp. 1220 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Gladys Langi ◽

Lukasz Szczerbinski ◽

Adam Kretowski

Keyword(s):

Bariatric Surgery ◽

Target Genes ◽

Web Of Science ◽

Kegg Pathway ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Obese Patients ◽

Pathway Database ◽

Efficient Treatment ◽

Kegg Pathway Database ◽

Before And After

Bariatric surgery is an efficient treatment for weight loss in obese patients and for resolving obesity comorbidities. However, the mechanisms behind these outcomes are unclear. Recent studies have indicated significant alterations in the transcriptome after surgery, specifically in the differential expression of microRNAs. In order to summarize the recent findings, we conducted a systematic summary of studies comparing microRNA expression levels before and after surgery. We identified 17 animal model and human studies from four databases (Ovid, Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed) to be enrolled in this meta-analysis. From these studies, we identified 14 miRNAs which had the same direction of modulation of their expression after surgery in at least two studies (downregulated: hsa-miR-93-5p, hsa-miR-106b-5p, hsa-let-7b-5p, hsa-let-7i-5p, hsa-miR-16-5p, hsa-miR-19b-3p, hsa-miR-92a-3p, hsa-miR-222-3p, hsa-miR-142-3p, hsa-miR-140-5p, hsa-miR-155-5p, rno-miR-320-3p; upregulated: hsa-miR-7-5p, hsa-miR-320c). Pathway analysis for these miRNAs was done using database resources (DIANA-TarBase and KEGG pathway database) and their predicted target genes were discussed in relation with obesity and its comorbidities. Discrepancies in study design, such as miRNA source, bariatric surgery type, time of observation after surgery, and miRNA profiling methods, were also discussed.

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Photoaging Skin Therapy with PRP and ADSC: A Comparative Study

Stem Cells International ◽

10.1155/2020/2032359 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-13

Author(s):

Luiz Charles-de-Sá ◽

Natale Gontijo-de-Amorim ◽

Andrea Sbarbati ◽

Donatella Benati ◽

Paolo Bernardi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mononuclear Cells ◽

Platelet Rich Plasma ◽

Macrophage Polarization ◽

Randomized Study ◽

Horizontal Layer ◽

Skin Aging ◽

Elastic Fibers ◽

Reticular Dermis ◽

Photoaged Skin ◽

Before And After

Background. Stem cells from adipose tissue (ADSCs) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) are innovative modalities that arise due to their regenerative potential. Objective. The aim of this study was to characterize possible histological changes induced by PRP and ADSC therapies in photoaged skin. Methods. A prospective randomized study involving 20 healthy individuals, showing skin aging. They underwent two therapeutic protocols (protocol 1: PRP; protocol 2: ADSCs). Biopsies were obtained before and after treatment (4 months). Results. PRP protocol showed unwanted changes in the reticular dermis, mainly due to the deposition of a horizontal layer of collagen (fibrosis) and elastic fibers tightly linked. Structural analyses revealed infiltration of mononuclear cells and depot of fibrotic material in the reticular dermis. The ADSC protocol leads to neoelastogenesis with increase of tropoelastin and fibrillin. There was an improvement of solar elastosis inducing an increment of macrophage polarization and matrix proteinases. These last effects are probably related to the increase of elastinolysis and the remodeling of the dermis. Conclusions. The PRP promoted an inflammatory process with an increase of reticular dermis thickness with a fibrotic aspect. On the other hand, ADSC therapy is a promising modality with an important antiaging effect on photoaged human skin.

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Coupling wildfire spread and erosion models to quantify post-fire erosion before and after fuel treatments

International Journal of Wildland Fire ◽

10.1071/wf19034 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 28 (9) ◽

pp. 687 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Michele Salis ◽

Liliana Del Giudice ◽

Peter R. Robichaud ◽

Alan A. Ager ◽

Annalisa Canu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Management ◽

Vegetation Type ◽

Fire Severity ◽

Management Tool ◽

Exceedance Probability ◽

Fuel Treatments ◽

Sediment Delivery ◽

Efficient Treatment ◽

Before And After ◽

Wildfire Spread

Wildfires are known to change post-fire watershed conditions such that hillslopes can become prone to increased erosion and sediment delivery. In this work, we coupled wildfire spread and erosion prediction modelling to assess the benefits of fuel reduction treatments in preventing soil runoff. The study was conducted in a 68000-ha forest area located in Sardinia, Italy. We compared no-treatment conditions v. alternative strategic fuel treatments performed in 15% of the area. Fire behaviour before and after treatments was estimated by simulating 25000 wildfires for each condition using the minimum travel time fire-spread algorithm. The fire simulations replicated historic conditions associated with severe wildfires in the study area. Sediment delivery was then estimated using the Erosion Risk Management Tool (ERMiT). Our results showed how post-fire sediment delivery varied among and within fuel treatment scenarios. The most efficient treatment alternative was that implemented near the road network. We also evaluated other factors such as exceedance probability, time since fire, slope, fire severity and vegetation type on post-fire sediment delivery. This work provides a quantitative assessment approach to inform and optimise proactive risk management activities intended to reduce post-fire erosion.

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Mechanical Properties of the Canine Aorta Following Hypercholesterolemia

Journal of Biomechanical Engineering ◽

10.1115/1.3138222 ◽

1980 ◽

Vol 102 (2) ◽

pp. 98-102 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

R. C. Haut ◽

B. D. Garg ◽

M. Metke ◽

M. Josa ◽

M. P. Kaye

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Properties ◽

Saturated Fat ◽

Elastic Fibers ◽

Atherosclerotic Plaques ◽

Histological Changes ◽

Experimental Pathology ◽

Tensile Response ◽

Strain Axis ◽

And Control ◽

Canine Aorta

The effect of hypercholesterolemia on the transverse wall properties of the upper descending thoracic aorta was studied in canines. Hypothyroid animals were fed a free diet supplemented with cholesterol, propylthiouracil, and saturated fat (lard) for 11 mo. The mechanical properties of the wall showed marked changes following experimental pathology. The failure stress, failure elongation, and energy to failure decreased following hypercholesterolemia. The tensile response was bilinear in both the pathological and control tissues. In the initial region, which is controlled by elastic fibers, the response was left unchanged by the experimental pathology. In the secondary region, which is controlled by stretching of the collagen fibers, the intercept with the strain axis and the slope were decreased by the pathology. This indicates that there are changes in the strength-bearing collagen and its interaction with the amorphous matrix. However, no significant parallel histological changes were observed in the structure of collagen and elastic fibers. Although this phenomenon precedes the development of atherosclerotic plaques which are charateristic of a diagnosed human disease, the aortic wall is already “hardened” because of its reduced compliance resulting from the shift in the onset of secondary (collagenous) response.

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Maturational changes in extracellular matrix and lung tissue mechanics

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/jappl.2001.91.5.2314 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 91 (5) ◽

pp. 2314-2321 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

R. Tanaka ◽

R. Al-Jamal ◽

M. S. Ludwig

Keyword(s):

Smooth Muscle Actin ◽

Picric Acid ◽

Tissue Mechanics ◽

Elastic Fibers ◽

Alveolar Wall ◽

Organ Bath ◽

Sprague Dawley ◽

Volume Proportion ◽

Before And After ◽

Sinusoidal Oscillations

The viscoelastic properties of the pulmonary parenchyma change rapidly postparturition. We compared changes in mechanical properties with changes in tissue composition of rat lung parenchymal strips in three groups of Sprague-Dawley rats: baby (B; 10–14 days), young (Y; ∼3 wk), and adult (A; ∼8 wk). Strips were suspended in an organ bath, and resistance (R), elastance (E), and hysteresivity (η) were calculated during sinusoidal oscillations before and after the addition of acetylcholine (ACh) (10−3 M). Strips were then fixed in formalin, and sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, Verhoff's elastic stain, or Van Gieson's picric acid-fuchsin stain for collagen. The volume proportion of collagen (%Col), the length density of elastic fibers ( L V/Pralv), and the arithmetic mean thickness of alveolar septae (Ta) were calculated by morphometry. Tissue was also stained for α-smooth muscle actin (ASMA), and the volume proportion of ASMA (%ASMA) was calculated. Hyaluronic acid (HA) was quantitated by radioimmunoassay in separate strips. R and E in B strips were significantly higher, whereas η was significantly smaller than in Y or A strips. Changes in these parameters with ACh were greater in B strips. Ta, %ASMA, and HA were greatest in B strips, whereas %Col and L V/Pralv were least. There were significant positive correlations between R and E vs. Taand between percent change in R and η post-ACh vs. Ta and vs. %ASMA, and significant negative correlations between R and E vs. %Col and vs. L V/Pralv and percent increase in all three mechanical parameters post-ACh vs. %Col. These data suggest that the relatively high stiffness, R, and contractile responsiveness of parenchymal tissues observed in newborns are not directly attributable to the amount of collagen and elastic fibers in the tissue, but rather they are related to the thickened alveolar wall and the relatively greater percent of contractile cells.

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Fine Structure of Glycosaminoglycans from Fresh and Decellularized Porcine Cardiac Valves and Pericardium

Biochemistry Research International ◽

10.1155/2012/979351 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

Antonio Cigliano ◽

Alessandro Gandaglia ◽

Antonio Junior Lepedda ◽

Elisabetta Zinellu ◽

Filippo Naso ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Valves ◽

Dermatan Sulfate ◽

Structural Characteristics ◽

Elastic Fibers ◽

Cardiac Valves ◽

Before And After ◽

Tissue Engineered Heart Valve ◽

Decellularized Scaffolds ◽

Dynamic Structures

Cardiac valves are dynamic structures, exhibiting a highly specialized architecture consisting of cells and extracellular matrix with a relevant proteoglycan and glycosaminoglycan content, collagen and elastic fibers. Biological valve substitutes are obtained from xenogenic cardiac and pericardial tissues. To overcome the limits of such non viable substitutes, tissue engineering approaches emerged to create cell repopulated decellularized scaffolds. This study was performed to determine the glycosaminoglycans content, distribution, and disaccharides composition in porcine aortic and pulmonary valves and in pericardium before and after a detergent-based decellularization procedure. The fine structural characteristics of galactosaminoglycans chondroitin sulfate and dermatan sulfate were examined by FACE. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of decellularized pericardium and its propensity to be repopulated by in vitro seeded fibroblasts were investigated. Results show that galactosaminoglycans and hyaluronan are differently distributed between pericardium and valves and within heart valves themselves before and after decellularization. The distribution of glycosaminoglycans is also dependent from the vascular district and topographic localization. The decellularization protocol adopted resulted in a relevant but not selective depletion of galactosaminoglycans. As a whole, data suggest that both decellularized porcine heart valves and bovine pericardium represent promising materials bearing the potential for future development of tissue engineered heart valve scaffolds.

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