Identification of molecular phenotypic descriptors of breast capsular contracture formation using informatics analysis of the whole genome transcriptome.

Breast capsular contracture formation following silicone implant augmentation/reconstruction is a common complication that remains poorly understood. The aim of this study was to identify potential biomarkers implicated in breast capsular contracture formation by using, for the first time, whole genome arrays. Biopsy samples were taken from 18 patients (23 breast capsules) with Baker Grade I-II (Control) and Baker Grade III-IV (Contracted).

Staphylococcus aureus and topical fusidic acid use: results of a clinical audit on antimicrobial resistance.

Background: Fusidic acid (FA) resistance in Staphylococcus aureus poses a problem for treating systemic methicillin-resistant S. aureus infection, in which FA may otherwise remain a viable option. It can also result in treatment failure of common dermatological conditions such as impetigo and infected atopic eczema.

Identification of biomarkers in sequential biopsies of patients with chronic wounds receiving simultaneous acute wounds: a genetic, histological, and noninvasive imaging study.

Chronic wounds are common and lead to significant patient morbidity. A better understanding of their pathogenesis and relevant biomarkers are required. We compared acute and chronic wounds in the same individual using noninvasive imaging including spectrophotometric intracutaneous analysis (SIAscopy) and full-field laser perfusion imaging.

Ethnic differences in burn mechanism and severity in a UK paediatric population.

Background: Burns in children are a major public health problem with long-lasting physical and psychological sequelae. Previous studies have identified that children from ethnic minorities have higher rates of burns.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyse the differences in paediatric burn mechanism and severity within different ethnic groups.

Hyaluronan, TSG-6, and inter-α-inhibitor in periprosthetic breast capsules: reduced levels of free hyaluronan and TSG-6 expression in contracted capsules.

Background: The exact mechanism of capsular contracture (CC) is still unknown. The covalent modification of hyaluronan (HA) with the heavy chains (HC) of inter-α-inhibitor (IαI) has been identified as an important pathway in inflammation and tissue remodeling, where HC·HA formation is catalyzed by TSG-6 (the protein product of tumor necrosis factor stimulated gene-6).

Objective: The authors quantitatively assess the correlation between severity of CC (measured by Baker grade) and expression of HA, TSG-6, and IαI (ie, the polypeptides HC1, HC2, and bikunin) in periprosthetic breast capsules.

The influence of surgical excision margins on keloid prognosis.

Keloid disease is known to have variable clinical behavior in response to therapy and there is no clinicopathologic classification that predicts such varied behavior. The aim of this study was to study the effect of excision margins and other histopathologic characteristics on keloid prognosis.Seventy-five multiethnic patients presenting with keloid scars at a department of plastic and reconstructive surgery during an 11-year period were included in this study.

Chronic urticaria: recent advances.

Chronic urticaria is an umbrella term, which encompasses physical urticarias, chronic "idiopathic" urticaria and urticarial vasculitis. It is important to recognize patients with physical urticarias as the investigation and treatment differs in important ways from patients with idiopathic chronic urticaria or urticarial vasculitis. Although relatively uncommon, urticarial vasculitis is an important diagnosis to make and requires histological confirmation by biopsy.

N95 acne.

Two women, aged 27 and 45 years, presented to the Dermatology Outpatient Clinic with acne vulgaris. Both had nodular acne in a similar distribution over the cheeks, chin, and perioral areas (Fig. 1).