Human skin fibrosis: up-regulation of collagen type III gene transcription in the fibrotic skin nodules of lower limb lymphoedema.

Objectives: To investigate the cellular and molecular pathophysiology involved in the development of fibrotic skin of grade-3 lymphoedema patients with a focus on collagen types.

Methods: Fibrotic and normal skin biopsy samples obtained from grade-3 lymphoedema patients and normal individuals, respectively, were analysed by histopathology, quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry to examine collagen gene expression.

Results: Histopathologic analysis revealed epidermal changes such as orthokeratosis, hypergranulosis and irregular acanthosis in the skin biopsies.

Integrative Skin Care: Dermatology and Traditional and Complementary Medicine.

Skin problems and diseases are extremely common globally and, due to their visibility, often result in severe distress and stigma for sufferers. Traditional (i.e.

Yoga protocol for treatment of breast cancer-related lymphedema.

Introduction: Vaqas and Ryan (2003) advocated yoga and breathing exercises for lymphedema. Narahari et al. (2007) developed an integrative medicine protocol for lower-limb lymphedema using yoga.

The wow factor as a determinant of funding for disorders of the skin.

As people live beyond 100 years, there is an extended period of impaired quality of life for the increasing numbers of individuals with skin disorders. There is also a growing work force of fit elderly individuals who are able to provide low technology skin care and who can teach self-help if well instructed. The International Society of Dermatology's sub-committee Skin Care for All: Community Dermatology seeks to bring together those who care for skin diseases and those who manage wounds, burns, lymphoedema and neglected tropical diseases affecting the skin for the purpose of skin care.

Yoga for correction of lymphedema's impairment of gait as an adjunct to lymphatic drainage: A pilot observational study.

Introduction: Yoga used as a major component of integrative treatment protocol in 14 Indian village camps improved quality-of-life in 425 lymphatic filariasis patients. They experienced better mobility and reduced disability. This paper documents the gait abnormalities observed in lower limb lymphedema patients and the locomotor changes following integrative treatment.

Human pigmentation: A side effect adapted from a primitive organism's survival. Part 2: The melanocyte as mentor of the keratinocye.

Pigmentation featured millions of years ago and perhaps began with an amoeba frightening off a predator with some agent such as dopamine to prevent its attachment for phagocytosis by an enemy. This paper suggests that the environmental forces of grip and stick, rather than pure chemical influences, deserve greater emphasis, and that the influence of the mechanical forces involved in grip and stick or release from attachment, all point to control of proteases as a function underlying pigmentation. How and why pigmentation varies with temperature and sunlight is discussed.

Human pigmentation: A side effect adapted from a primitive organism's survival, acting through cell attachment with an affinity for the keratinocyte and for elastin: Part I.

Pigmentation featured millions of years ago and perhaps began with an amoeba frightening off a predator with some agent such as dopamine to prevent its attachment for phagocytosis by an enemy. This paper suggests that the environmental forces of grip and stick deserve greater emphasis and that mechanical forces involved in grip and stick or release from attachment, all point to control of proteases underlying pigmentation. There is an affinity for elastin as a pathway for melanin to exit its peripheral location in the epidermis into lymphatics and play a humeral role in defense mechanisms.

A seminar on gardens for the health of the skin.

This is a report on a seminar held on January 12, 2013, at the Regional Dermatology Training Centre in Tanzania, sponsored by the International Society of Dermatology as part of its Taskforce Program for Skin Care for All: Community Dermatology. There were four themes: (i) Gardens attached to health centers increase their attractiveness and result in increased attendance and, thus, increase the utilization of effective skin care interventions. Literature on the positive effect of greenery surrounding health centers on health and the environment is reviewed.

Community level morbidity control of lymphoedema using self care and integrative treatment in two lymphatic filariasis endemic districts of South India: a non randomized interventional study.

Background: Currently there is no global program to manage lymphoedema as a result of lymphatic filariasis (LF). The primary aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of a previously proposed integrative treatment protocol, using locally available resources to address the morbidity, in a community village setting.

Methods: Two LF endemic districts of south India, Gulbarga in Karnataka (GK) and Alleppey in Kerala (AK), were selected for the study.

Integrative medicine selects best practice from public health and biomedicine.

The meaning of terms Integrated and Integrative are described variously by an amalgam of latest scientific advances with ancient healing systems, of complementary medicine and biomedicine, and sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS. It means seamless good quality care between hospital and primary care. They provoke approval mostly from patients and disapproval mostly from advocates of science and evidence-based medicine.

Guidelines on the role of skin care in the management of mobile populations.

The Task Force for Skin Care for All: Community Dermatology, when seeking to collate evidence for capacity to benefit, wanted to know how best to manage mobile populations. The task force met where there is most experience at a time of maximum migration to the Mediterranean islands and to Italy from Somalia, Sudan, Cote d'Ivoire, Tunisia, and Libya. Members attended the workshop hosted by Aldo Morrone at the San Gallicano Hospital, Rome, Italy.

Reporting an alliance using an integrative approach to the management of lymphedema in India.

In India 553 million persons are estimated to live in areas endemic for LF; approximately 21 million have symptomatic filariasis. Of the approximately 16.02 million cases of lymphedema caused by LF globally, 7.

Advancement of women in dermatology.

This article reviews the special role that women dermatologists have played in the improvement of skin care for women and children, as well as the role of the Women's Dermatological Society (WDS) in providing networking, mentoring and leadership opportunities for female dermatologists. Women leaders within the International League of Dermatology Societies (ILDS) have influenced WHO directives to assign higher priorities to areas of women's health. Maria Duran and her legacy at the International Society for Dermatology (ISD) has recognized leaders in the area of dermatology education and mentorship.

Collaboration with traditional health practitioners in the provision of skin care for all in Africa.

The Task force for Skin Care for All: Community Dermatology seeks to meet WHO objectives, to draw attention to the role of Traditional Health Practitioners and to develop integrated skin care. In many African countries patients will first use traditional medicine to treat skin diseases. Many traditional practices are beneficial but some are harmful.

Integrating modern dermatology and Ayurveda in the treatment of vitiligo and lymphedema in India.

Background: Globally, governments have recognized the growing popularity of Complementary and Alternative Medicines and the possibility of their combined use with biomedicine. Decisions within the Government of India have led to a conducive environment for conducting clinical studies, to achieve integration of more than one system of medicine, so that their combined benefits can be brought to bear on chronic, difficult-to-treat conditions.

Aim: To develop integrative dermatology treatment protocols for patients with long-standing skin diseases who have received treatment from many centers.

The skin on the move but cold adapted: Fundamental misconceptions in the laboratory and clinic.

The skin is constantly on the move and at a temperature below 37ºC. The epidermis is a factory, and its blood supply and lymphatic drainage, as well as adipose tissue, are much dependent on movement and influenced by cooling. Neither histopathology (still pictures) nor in vitro studies at 37ºC reflect the true picture.

A brief history of tropical dermatology.

Although geography is the main determinant of tropical dermatology, some definitions include the infections carried by the predators living there and many will include any skin condition occurring between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, even if they are even more common elsewhere. A description of the history of tropical dermatology is dependent on travelers who provided reports. Its literature is often provided by military men.

Evidence-based approaches for the Ayurvedic traditional herbal formulations: toward an Ayurvedic CONSORT model.

This paper considers the problem of evaluating multimodal integrative medicine treatments for complex pathologic conditions. The example is given of evaluation of highly successful treatments of lymphedema using Ayurvedic and Yoga medicine practices together with modern medicine. For a framework to evaluate such a complex intervention, we base our proposal on Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) guidelines.