Extracellular matrix alterations in the skin of patients affected by psoriasis.

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease dependent upon a complex interaction between genetic predisposition and immunological factors. It is characterized by skin lesions throughout the body, causing great morbidity and affecting life quality. The present study aimed to evaluate the protein and mRNA expression of heparanase-1 (HPSE), heparanase-2 (HPSE2), syndecan-1 (SYND1), metalloproteinases (MMP2, MMP9), and tissue inhibitor metalloproteinases 2 (TIMP2) in skin samples.

Keep it simple. A ten-year experience in reconstructions after Mohs micrographic surgery.

Background: Mohs micrographic surgery is worldwide used for treating skin cancers. After obtaining tumor-free margins, choosing the most appropriate type of closure can be challenging.

Objectives: Our aim was to associate type of surgical reconstructions after Mohs micrographic surgery with the characteristics of the tumors as histological subtype, anatomical localization and especially number of surgical stages to achieve complete excision of the tumour.

Clinical variability of the GJB4:c.35G > A gene variant: a study of a large Brazilian erythrokeratodermia pedigree.

Background: Erythrokeratodermas are a heterogeneous group of keratinization disorders. They are inherited in both autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive pattern. Erythrokeratoderma variabilis et progressive (EKVP) is a disorder caused by variations in genes that codify connexins (GJA1, GJB3, GJB4).

Cutaneous side effects of molecularly targeted therapies for the treatment of solid tumors.

Background: Currently, molecularly targeted drugs are part of the therapeutic arsenal for the treatment of many neoplasms and are responsible for improvements in the quality of life and survival of patients. Although they act on proteins and components within biochemical pathways that are expressed to a greater extent in neoplastic cells, these drugs can also interfere with the activity of normal cells.

Scope: This article reviews the cutaneous side effects of main molecularly targeted cancer therapies for solid tumors.

Epidermal curettage technique (ECT) for tissue harvest from the donor area for melanocyte autologous grafting in cases of vitiligo.

Vitiligo is a dermatosis requiring complex treatment. In clinically stable cases, melanocyte autologous grafting has shown good results, using different methodologies for obtaining the donor area: dermatomes, punches, blisters. However, these techniques are complex and require specific instruments.

A study of clinical profiles of vitiligo in different ages: an analysis of 669 outpatients.

Introduction: Vitiligo is a skin disorder characterized by achromic macules (white) on the skin and/or mucous membranes, which affects 0.5-2% of the population. Few publications address a vitiligo epidemiological profile worldwide.

Action of topical mometasone on the pigmented halos of micrografting in patients with vitiligo.

Background: Vitiligo is a prevalent skin pigmentation disorder worldwide. The treatments available still offer limited results to some patients. For patients with clinically stable vitiligo, melanocyte transplantation is an appropriate treatment option, and the technique of autologous punch grafting shows good repigmentation.

Study of the dermatoscopic pattern of tinea nigra: report of 6 cases.

Digital dermatoscopy, a noninvasive auxiliary method that can improve the diagnosis of nearly all pigment skin lesions, was used to study 6 cases of tinea nigra, a rare dematiaceous superficial fungal infection and a potential mimicker of melanocytic nevus. Patients were first evaluated by a manual dermatoscope using a 10-fold magnification. The same patients were then reevaluated using a digital dermatoscope with 20-, 50-, and 70-fold magnifications.

Quality of life in leprosy: a comparative analysis between patients in the Amazon region and patients in Santo André in the ABC region of São Paulo, Brazil.

This study analyzed the quality of life of individuals with leprosy and compared quality of life indexes of patients in two different socioeconomic scenarios. The study was conducted at the leprosy clinic of the ABC School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil and during visits to the populations living along the Purus River in the Brazilian state of Amazonas. The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) was used to evaluate the patients.

Nail disorders in patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis.

Background: Chronic renal failure affects almost all the systems of the body, including the skin and appendages. The nail disorders most commonly found in patients with chronic renal failure are half and half nails, absent lunula and splinter hemorrhages.

Objectives: To evaluate the spectrum and the frequency of nail disorders in patients with chronic renal failure submitted to hemodialysis and compare them with a paired sample from the general population.