Demonstration of an iron fluorescence lidar operating at 372 nm wavelength using a newly-developed Nd:YAG laser.

We report on the development of a pulsed neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser operating at a 1116 nm wavelength. Because the third harmonic is within a few gigahertz of the 372 nm absorption line of iron, this laser system represents an alternative to alexandrite lasers commonly used in iron fluorescence lidars. With our prototype, we achieved a 0.

A possible role for CD8+ T lymphocytes in the cell-mediated pathogenesis of pemphigus vulgaris.

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune blistering disease whose pathogenesis involves both humoral and cell-mediated immune response. Though the pathogenetic role of autoantibodies directed against desmoglein 3 is certain, a number of other factors have been suggested to determine acantholysis in PV. In this study we examined the possible role of CD8+ T cells in the development of acantholysis by a passive transfer of PV autoantibodies using CD8 deficient mice, and we also studied the inflammatory infiltrate of PV skin lesions by immunohistochemical staining.

Novel use of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) microspheres in the treatment of infraorbital rhytids.

Aim: To demonstrate safely with the use of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) microspheres in the infraorbital eyelid area using a deliberate conservative injection in the treatment of rhytids.

Methods: A retrospective case series of 289 patients in an outpatient cosmetic dermatology clinic evaluated and treated by one senior provider (NM) of infraorbital rhytids with PMMA from December 2010 to March 2011. Statistical analysis was performed for race, skin type, history of hypertrophic scar, autoimmunity, history of "sensitive skin" and history of prior procedures such as prior facelift, rhinoplasty, and blepharoplasty.

A recombinant human hyaluronidase sustained release gel for the treatment of post-surgical edema.

Background: Edema commonly accompanies surgical procedures and when excessive, can adversely affect surgical outcomes. The skin extracellular matrix, including one of its primary components, hyaluronan (HA), is a significant barrier to effective drainage of accumulated edematous fluid. Recombinant human hyaluronidase (rHuPH20) is a human hyaluronidase that acts transiently and locally to depolymerize HA.

Squamous cell carcinoma manifesting as cutaneous cystic lesions.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), a malignancy of epidermal keratinocytes, is the second most common cause of skin cancer in the United States. Our case represents an unusual variant of this common tumor. We report a clinical presentation of a case of SCC occurring as cutaneous cystic lesions on the face of an 87-year-old white woman with a medical history of multiple SCCs.

Over 40-watt diffraction-limited Q-switched output from neodymium-doped YAG ceramic bounce amplifiers.

High power operation of high repetition Q-switched ceramic Nd:YAG laser is demonstrated using a master-oscillator power amplifier with a transversely-pumped bounce geometry. The laser system produced >40W high spatial quality output (M(2) <1.3) at a pulse repetition frequency of >100kHz.

Nested, non-parametric, correlative analysis of microarrays for heterogenous phenotype characterization.

We present a non-parametric approach for qualitatively selecting candidate genes to characterize several criteria that are nested among genes selected on the basis of their individual, similar effects upon an array-wide closeness measure. In this setting, a goal is to obtain a reliable characterization of phenotypes, based on very high-dimensional data from a few samples. As opposed to a distance-based approach, the proposed measure defines closeness based on gene signal profiles (functionals) rather than on isolated (numerical) differences in each gene between samples.

Photoaging: mechanisms and repair.

Unlabelled: Aging is a complex, multifactorial process resulting in several functional and esthetic changes in the skin. These changes result from intrinsic as well as extrinsic processes, such as ultraviolet radiation. Recent advances in skin biology have increased our understanding of skin homeostasis and the aging process, as well as the mechanisms by which ultraviolet radiation contributes to photoaging and cutaneous disease.

Pemphigus vulgaris induced by electrical injury.

Pemphigus refers to a group of autoimmune blistering diseases that affect the skin and mucous membranes. Pemphigus may be induced following exposure to various exogenous agents, including thermal burns, drugs, infectious agents, and neoplasms, as well as UV, ionizing, and x-ray irradiation. We report a case of a 28-year-old man with pemphigus vulgaris (PV) induced by a severe electrical injury.

Understanding the new clinical landscape for psoriasis: a comparative review of biologics.

Background: Encouraging results from clinical trials suggest that biologic therapies are effective treatments for psoriasis.

Objective: The aim of our study was to evaluate the scientific evidence for the efficacy and safety of biologic drugs for psoriasis.

Methods: The studies reviewed include data on the biologies alefacept, efalizumab, etanercept, and infliximab.

Microarray profiles of human basal cell carcinoma: insights into tumor growth and behavior.

Purpose: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common human neoplasm. Much interest lies in determining the genetic basis of BCC to explain the unique locally invasive phenotype and infrequent metastatic behavior of these skin tumors.

Objective: We sought to examine a gene expression profile for BCC to elucidate new molecules responsible for its unique growth characteristics.

Downregulation of NDUFA1 and other oxidative phosphorylation-related genes is a consistent feature of basal cell carcinoma.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common cutaneous malignancy that, like other tumours, possesses a heterogeneous genetic composition. In order to select genes with consistent changes in expression among these tumours, we analysed BCC microarray expression data by using a novel approach, termed correlative analysis of microarrays (CAM). CAM is a nested, non-parametric method designed to qualitatively select candidates based on their individual, similar effects upon an array-wide closeness measure.

Topical immunotherapy: what's new.

Further understanding of the pathogenesis of dermatologic conditions at a molecular level has led to targeted therapies. The topical immune response modifiers have contributed significantly to the treatment of cutaneous diseases. New topical remedies, particularly the Toll-like receptor agonists and calcineurin inhibitors, have added to the clinical armamentarium and have further advanced clinicians' ability to treat a wide variety of benign, premalignant, and malignant conditions.

Mechanism of action and emerging role of immune response modifier therapy in dermatologic conditions.

Immune response modifiers (IRMs) are agents that target the body's immune system (i.e., cytokines, receptors, and inflammatory cells) to combat disease.

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (Flk-1/KDR) antibody suppresses contact hypersensitivity.

The angiogenic mediator vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors (VEGFRs) have been studied extensively in neoplastic disease and some inflammatory conditions. Contact hypersensitivity (CHS) is a prototypic Langerhans' cell-dependent, T-helper (Th) 1 cell-mediated inflammatory skin disease that is now also thought to involve angiogenic mediators. The purpose of our study was to examine the role of angiogenesis and VEGF in CHS.

Interaction of Staphylococcus aureus fibronectin-binding protein with fibronectin: affinity, stoichiometry, and modular requirements.

The repetitive D1, D2, and D3 elements of Staphylococcus aureus fibronectin-binding protein FnBPA each bind the N-terminal 29-kDa fragment (N29) of fibronectin with low micromolar dissociation constants (Kd), but in tandem they compose a high affinity domain, D1-3. An additional seven Fn-binding segments have been predicted in FnBPA in a region N-terminal of the D-repeats (Schwarz-Linek, U., Werner, J.

Clinicopathologic features of ulcerative-atrophic sarcoidosis.

Background: Sarcoidosis is a chronic granulomatous disease of unknown etiology. Cutaneous disease is common and includes two clinicopathologic categories: granulomatous infiltration or a reactive phenomenon. In the granulomatous infiltrative group, clinical manifestations can be variable.

The role of interleukin 10 in the pathogenesis and potential treatment of skin diseases.

Unlabelled: Interleukin 10 (IL-10) is a key cytokine produced by a multitude of immune effector cells and possesses distinct regulatory effects on immune functioning in the skin. In this article we report the current understanding of the immunobiology of IL-10 and identify the role of IL-10 in cutaneous infection as well as in autoimmune and neoplastic processes. We reviewed the literature to examine the function of IL-10 in different cutaneous disorders.

Immunotherapy of basal cell carcinoma: evolving approaches.

Nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is one of the most common types of cancer in the world. There is strong evidence that ultraviolet (UV) light plays a central role in the molecular pathogenesis of NMSC development. UV light causes DNA damage and loss of activity of tumor suppressor genes and overexpression of oncogenes and other genes related to enhanced growth and survival as well as tissue invasion.