Publications by authors named "Symon Cotton"

Recent studies highlighted the beneficial effects of a novel electrical stimulation waveform, the degenerate wave (DW), on skin fibroblasts and symptomatic skin scarring. However, no study to date has investigated the role of DW on acute cutaneous wounds. Therefore, we evaluated this in a trial using a temporal punch biopsy model.

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Background: Phototherapy is generally effective for psoriasis but individual responsiveness and optimal treatment duration for disease clearance are unpredictable. However, easy, rapid and non-invasive plaque assessment by spectrophotometric intracutaneous analysis (SIAscopy), a novel multispectral skin imaging technique, may now make prediction feasible.

Objectives: The early prediction of psoriatic plaque clearance during phototherapy by SIAscopy.

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Background: Pigmented skin lesions or 'moles' are a common presenting problem in general practice consultations: while the majority are benign, a minority are malignant melanomas. The MoleMate system is a novel diagnostic tool which incorporates spectrophotometric intracutaneous analysis (SIAscopy) within a non-invasive scanning technique and utilises a diagnostic algorithm specifically developed for use in primary care. The MoleMate training program is a short, computer-based course developed to train primary care practitioners to operate the MoleMate diagnostic tool.

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Background: The SIAscope is a portable imaging device that uses a hand-held unit to emit light of varying wavelengths when placed on the skin. The components of skin absorb light to known extents and any reflected light is received by the hand-held unit. This information is processed by the SIAscope software to produce images on a computer screen, displaying the melanin, blood, and collagen in the area of concern.

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Introduction: Research indicates that spectrophotometric intracutaneous analysis (SIAscopy) may be a useful adjunct in nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) diagnosis. A study was performed to prospectively assess the accuracy of NMSC diagnosis by the SIAscope as compared with a clinician.

Methods: Prior to excision, 323 consecutive lesions were examined and diagnosed by a clinician.

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Through an understanding of the image formation process, diagnostically important facts about the internal structure and composition of pigmented skin lesions can be derived from their colour images. A physics-based model of tissue colouration provides a cross-reference between image colours and the underlying histological parameters. It is constructed by computing the spectral composition of light remitted from the skin given parameters specifying its structure and optical properties.

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