Cutaneous toxicities of antineoplastic agents: data from a large cohort of Greek patients.

Purpose: Cutaneous toxicities from novel anticancer treatments are an emerging problem in dermato-oncology. However, the prevalence of those toxicities and necessity of skin consultations are currently unknown. The purpose of our study was to perform an epidemiologic analysis of cutaneous toxicities that were referred to our cutaneous toxicity clinic in Athens, Greece.

Anti-PD1/PDL1 induced psoriasis.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors are novel agents approved for the treatment of late-stage malignancies. Despite its important clinical benefits, checkpoint inhibition is associated with a unique spectrum of side effects known as immune-related adverse events. Skin toxicities are the most frequent immune-related adverse events during anti-PD1 blockade therapies.

The effect of total knee arthroplasty on patients' balance and incidence of falls: a systematic review.

Purpose: Despite the high incidence of falls in patients with OA, few studies have explored whether falls risk is affected after patients undergo total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to identify the extent of the effects of TKA on balance and incidence of falls by critically reviewing the available literature.

Methods: A systematic review of published literature sources was conducted up to March 2014.

What is the effect of sensori-motor training on functional outcome and balance performance of patients' undergoing TKR? A systematic review.

Objectives: Total knee replacement (TKR) has a beneficial effect on patients' functional ability; however, incidence of falls and deficits on proprioception are not restored even 1-year after surgery. Early and intensive exercise post-TKR has received limited endorsement in the literature. The aim of this review was to systemically identify and critically appraise clinical studies investigating the effect of sensori-motor training on functional and balance performance in TKR patients.

Skin and self-injury: a possible link between peripheral innervation and immune function?

The aim of this preliminary case study series was to investigate epidermal innervation in pediatric patients with significant neurological impairment and self-injurious behavior. We enrolled four pediatric patients with self-injury (two males, two females; mean age 12y, range 9-14y) and used archival specimens from healthy, age-matched children with typical development for comparison purposes. Epidermal nerve fiber density, peptide content, and mast cell degranulation patterns from non-damaged skin were tested between the patients and the comparison group.

Epidermal innervation in healthy children and adolescents.

Introduction: Epidermal nerve fiber (ENF) density, morphology, and epidermal innervation patterns were examined in children using 2 different techniques, punch biopsy and suction blister.

Methods: Healthy children without symptoms or history of peripheral neuropathy and normal by neurologic examination were studied. Punch biopsy and suction blister specimens were collected from the lateral thigh and distal leg.

Analysis of spatial structure of epidermal nerve entry point patterns based on replicated data.

Epidermal nerve fiber (ENF) density and morphology are used to diagnose small fiber involvement in diabetic, HIV, chemotherapy induced, and other neuropathies. ENF density and summed length of ENFs per epidermal surface area are reduced, and ENFs may appear clustered within the epidermis in subjects with small fiber neuropathy compared to healthy subjects. Therefore, it is important to understand the spatial behaviour of ENFs in healthy and diseased subjects.

Second-order spatial analysis of epidermal nerve fibers.

Breakthroughs in imaging of skin tissue reveal new details on the distribution of nerve fibers in the epidermis. Preliminary neurologic studies indicate qualitative differences in the spatial patterns of nerve fibers based on pathophysiologic conditions in the subjects. Of particular interest is the evolution of spatial patterns observed in the progression of diabetic neuropathy.

Skin blister and skin biopsy to quantify epidermal nerves: a comparative study.

Background: Skin biopsy is an important procedure for the diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy. The main indicators of unmyelinated nerve involvement are decreased density and abnormal morphology of epidermal nerve fibers (ENFs). The suction skin blister is an alternative, less invasive method to visualize and quantify ENFs.