Publications by authors named "Speeckaert R"

In recent years, there have been significant breakthroughs in the identification of immunological components of skin diseases and in the development of immunomodulatory drugs. Novel therapies create exciting prospects for personalized care. This article provides an overview of the role played by Th1, Th2, Th17, and follicular Th pathways in the most common skin diseases.

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  • Targeted biologic drugs and small molecules have revolutionized psoriasis treatment, but their high cost presents a challenge for the Belgian healthcare system.
  • Eight Belgian dermatologists conducted a quasi-Delphi initiative to evaluate current opportunities and challenges in psoriasis treatment, focusing on responsible and sustainable drug use.
  • The update includes new treatment recommendations, insights on defining psoriasis severity, and the potential of teledermatology to enhance patient care while managing resources efficiently.
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Different tissues experience various levels of oxidative stress based on their function and protection from outside environments [...

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Recent advances in vitiligo have provided promising treatment options, particularly through understanding the immune-mediated mechanisms leading to depigmentation. The inflammatory components in both vitiligo (non-segmental) and segmental vitiligo have similarities. Both are believed to result from an immune-based destruction of melanocytes by anti-melanocyte-specific cytotoxic T cells.

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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by a steady decline in kidney function and affects roughly 10% of the world's population. This review focuses on the critical function of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling in CKD, specifically how it influences both protective and pathogenic processes in the kidney. cAMP, a critical secondary messenger, controls a variety of cellular functions, including transcription, metabolism, mitochondrial homeostasis, cell proliferation, and apoptosis.

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The progression of vitiligo is unpredictable, emphasizing the need to identify periods of activity early for tailored treatment. Confetti-like depigmentation, hypochromic areas/borders and Koebner's phenomenon are clinical visible signs associated with disease activity in vitiligo. However, their true clinical significance requires further investigation using standardized scoring systems.

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  • Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are harmful compounds made when sugars react with proteins, and they can build up in the body.
  • These AGEs are linked to lung diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as they cause inflammation and stress in cells.
  • There’s a special version of a receptor called sRAGE that can help fight off the bad effects of AGEs, making it a promising option for treating lung problems.
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Vitamin D-binding protein (DBP), also known as Gc-globulin, is a protein that affects several physiological processes, including the transport and regulation of vitamin D metabolites. Genetic polymorphisms in the gene have a significant impact on vitamin D levels and may have implications for disease risk. polymorphisms are linked to differential immune responses, which could influence the onset of juvenile diseases.

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The early detection of gynecological cancers, which is critical for improving patient survival rates, is challenging because of the vague early symptoms and the diagnostic limitations of current approaches. This comprehensive review delves into the game-changing potential of infrared (IR) spectroscopy, a noninvasive technology used to transform the landscape of cancer diagnosis in gynecology. By collecting the distinctive vibrational frequencies of chemical bonds inside tissue samples, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy provides a 'molecular fingerprint' that outperforms existing diagnostic approaches.

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Renal amyloidosis is a set of complex disorders characterized by the deposition of amyloid proteins in the kidneys, which causes gradual organ damage and potential kidney failure. Recent developments in diagnostic methods, particularly mass spectrometry and proteome profiling, have greatly improved the accuracy of amyloid typing, which is critical for disease management. These technologies provide extensive insights into the specific proteins involved, allowing for more targeted treatment approaches and better patient results.

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There is currently no guidance on how to interpret the global degrees of activity (worsening) and repigmentation (improvement) in vitiligo. Stratification into global degrees can be completed for static evaluations (e.g.

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An unbiased screening of which proteins are deregulated in vitiligo using proteomics can offer an enormous value. It could not only reveal robust biomarkers for detecting disease activity but can also identify which patients are most likely to respond to treatments. We performed a scoping review searching for all articles using proteomics in vitiligo.

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  • Thermography devices, which assess skin temperature, are underutilized in dermatology despite being important for evaluating inflammatory skin lesions.
  • A scoping review summarizes existing evidence on the effectiveness and limitations of infrared thermography (IRT) in diagnosing and monitoring skin disorders, emphasizing its benefits in cases like wound management and skin infections.
  • While IRT has shown promise, dermatologists must understand its learning curve and factors affecting its accuracy, yet it is recommended as a complement to traditional clinical evaluations for skin diseases.
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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing health concern with a complex etiological landscape. Among the numerous factors implicated, vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) has emerged as a focal point of scientific studies because of its critical role in vitamin D metabolism and immune modulation. The relationship between VDBP and CKD reveals a complex web of molecular and biochemical details that have great potential for improving diagnostic understanding and treatment strategies for CKD.

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Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during melanogenesis make melanocytes particularly vulnerable to oxidative stress, influencing their survival and melanin synthesis. Oxidative stress, significantly present in vitiligo and recently also detected in melasma, triggers inflammatory cascades and melanogenesis, making antioxidants a promising therapeutic avenue. A systematic search was conducted on Embase and Pubmed to study the efficacy of antioxidants for treating vitiligo and/or melasma.

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Hematological diseases, due to their complex nature and diverse manifestations, pose significant diagnostic challenges in healthcare. The pressing need for early and accurate diagnosis has driven the exploration of novel diagnostic techniques. Infrared (IR) spectroscopy, renowned for its noninvasive, rapid, and cost-effective characteristics, has emerged as a promising adjunct in hematological diagnostics.

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Raman spectroscopy, a non-invasive diagnostic technique capturing molecular vibrations, offers significant advancements in skin cancer diagnostics. This review delineates the ascent of Raman spectroscopy from classical methodologies to the forefront of modern technology, emphasizing its precision in differentiating between malignant and benign skin tissues. Our study offers a detailed examination of distinct Raman spectroscopic signatures found in skin cancer, concentrating specifically on squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma, across both in vitro and in vivo research.

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Haptoglobin (Hp) is a polymorphic protein that was initially described as a hemoglobin (Hb)-binding protein. The major functions of Hp are to scavenge Hb, prevent iron loss, and prevent heme-based oxidation. Hp regulates angiogenesis, nitric oxide homeostasis, immune responses, and prostaglandin synthesis.

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Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most common, bothersome and difficult to treat skin disorders. Recent introduction of new systemic treatments has revolutionized the management of AD. The goal of this guideline is to provide evidence-based recommendations for the management of patients suffering from atopic dermatitis that easily can be implemented in clinical practice.

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There is evidence of a link between disease activity in vitiligo and clinical visible signs such as confetti-like depigmentation, Koebner phenomenon and hypochromic areas/borders. Despite its established value, dermatologists and researchers continue to have a limited understanding of the vitiligo disease activity signs. The primary goal of this study was to identify 'hot spots' of disease activity signs in vitiligo patients in order to improve detection in clinical practice.

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Uromodulin, also known as Tamm-Horsfall protein, represents the predominant urinary protein in healthy individuals. Over the years, studies have revealed compelling associations between urinary and serum concentrations of uromodulin and various parameters, encompassing kidney function, graft survival, cardiovascular disease, glucose metabolism, and overall mortality. Consequently, there has been a growing interest in uromodulin as a novel and effective biomarker with potential applications in diverse clinical settings.

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The current understanding of the placebo response in vitiligo is limited. Nonetheless, it is difficult to compare the outcomes of vitiligo trials if the repigmentation rates in placebo patients vary significantly. We conducted a meta-analysis of the placebo response in vitiligo trials.

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Background: The treatment of vitiligo can be challenging and depends on several factors such as the subtype, disease activity, vitiligo extent, and treatment goals. Vitiligo usually requires a long-term approach. To improve the management of vitiligo worldwide, a clear and up-to-date guide based on international consensus with uniform stepwise recommendations is needed.

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Background: The treatment of vitiligo can be challenging. Up-to-date agreed consensus recommendations on the use of topical and systemic therapies to facilitate the clinical management of vitiligo are currently lacking.

Objectives: To develop internationally agreed-upon expert-based recommendations for the treatment of vitiligo.

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