In this study, the application of a recently introduced device based on electromagnetic energy transfer by microwaves for fat reduction, permitted to study specifically the modifications of thick fibrous collagen interlobular septa in the subcutaneous adipose tissue, related to the formation of large clusters of adipocytes. The use of Picrosirius Red staining associated with circularly polarized microscopy gave evidence of appreciable modifications of the fibrous connective tissue forming septa. Compact fibrotic bundles of Collagen I forming interlobular septa appeared reduced or dissolved, in part substituted by the increase of more diffuse and finely reticular Collagen III. Remodelling of fibrous collagen, which formed bridles involved in the appearance at the surface of the skin of dimpling/orange peer pattern typical of cellulite, was observed.
Background: Superficial candidiasis (SC) is widespread in humans worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate species distribution patterns and antifungal susceptibility through cluster analysis. Methods: A total of 180 Candida strains isolated from skin and nail samples of 1593 examined patients with suspected superficial fungal infection were identified by Matrix-assisted laser desorption in ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS; Zybio EXS2600, China). Antifungal susceptibility was assessed using the commercial Integral System YEASTS Plus test (ISYPT; Liofilchem®, Italy). Agglomerative hierarchical cluster analysis was used to analyze species distribution and susceptibility. Results: Candida parapsilosis (44.4%) and C. albicans (40%) were the most prevalent causative agents of SC. Cluster analysis established two defined clusters. Cluster 1 (121 isolates) showed a statistically significant difference compared to Cluster 2 (54 isolates) in species distribution (C. albicans was dominant in the first and C. parapsilosis in the second cluster) as well as in susceptibility to ECN (p ≤ 0.001), KCA (p = 0.030), CLO (p ≤ 0.001), MCZ (p ≤ 0.001), ITZ (p ≤ 0.001), and FLU (p ≤ 0.006). Conclusion: The fact that one-third of isolates exhibited low sensitivity to antifungals highlights the need for a new approach in SC treatment, emphasizing the importance of mycological analyses, including in vitro testing of antifungal effectiveness.
Background: Skin aging is influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic factors that alter skin texture and microrelief. Non-invasive imaging techniques enable objective longitudinal assessment of these characteristics. This study aimed to instrumentally and subjectively evaluate skin surface changes during a standardized 90-day dermocosmetic regimen containing multiple active ingredients. Methods: This prospective, single-arm observational study included 47 women aged 30–60 years with visible signs of facial skin aging. Participants applied a standardized anti-age serum and cream regimen twice daily for 90 days. Skin surface morphology was assessed at baseline and after 30, 60, and 90 days using Visioscan® VC 20plus imaging with SELS® software. Subjective outcomes were evaluated using a structured product questionnaire and the validated Skindex-16 instrument. Results: Significant temporal changes were observed across objective skin surface parameters. From baseline to day 90, mean skin roughness decreased from 4.99 ± 2.29 to 1.66 ± 0.67, while the wrinkle-related parameter decreased from 191.08 ± 87.26 to 74.27 ± 15.25. Reductions were also observed in scaliness, contrast, entropy, variance, and anisotropy, whereas smoothness, homogeneity, and energy increased over time. Skindex-16 scores decreased across Symptoms, Emotions, and Functioning domains, indicating lower participant-reported dermatology-related burden. The regimen was well tolerated, with no serious adverse events reported. Conclusions: In this exploratory single-arm observational study, the standardized dermocosmetic regimen was associated with measurable longitudinal changes in Visioscan-derived skin surface parameters and patient-reported outcomes over 90 days. Because the study included no control group, the findings cannot establish causality or isolate the contribution of individual regimen components.
1 June 2024 in Serbian Journal of Dermatology and Venereology
Sažetak: Granuloma annulare je neinfektivna benigna granulomatozna dermatoza nepoznate etiologije. Karakteriše se granulomatoznom inflamacijom derma i manifestuje se pojavom papula anularne distribucije. Najčešća klinička prezentacija je lokalizovana forma, koja je obično samoograničavajuća i dolazi do spontane regresije promena bez terapije. Generalizovana forma može da se održava godinama i često ima nezadovoljavajući odgovor na terapiju. Prikazujemo pacijenta muškog pola starosti 77 godina, sa diseminovanom formom, koji nije imao poboljšanje promena na dve primenjene terapijske opcije. Nakon uključivanja leka dapson u terapiju u dozi od 100 mg dnevno, došlo je do potpune rezolucije promena.