Use of the Reviscometer for measuring cosmetics-induced skin surface effects.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The Reviscometer RVM600 that measures resonance running time (RRT) has been shown to be inversely related to the skin stiffness. However, very few publications describe the use of this instrument for testing the effect of cosmetic products. METHODS: Slight xerotic skin condition was induced by using an alkaline soap for 1 week. Skin has then been rehydrated with a lotion or further dehydrated and dried with sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). Skin condition at the different stages of the study was evaluated by visual assessment for dryness and redness and by non-invasive methods (Corneometer, Cutometer, Reviscometer, Evaporimeter and squamometry). RESULTS: All methods showed highly significant changes after the slight drying phase with the soap usage. They illustrated skin repair after lotion treatment and further skin impairment after SLS application. Nevertheless, the Reviscometer was able to better statistically discriminate between the treatments (water, lotion, SLS) than the Cutometer . Measurement of the RRT along the transversal axis of the forearms was the most sensitive for differentiating between normal and dry skin and between the treatments on the basis of skin mechanical properties. CONCLUSION: The Reviscometer RVM600 is a sensitive instrument able to detect slight skin surface effect of cosmetics. Combined with published literature on the interpretation of RRT measurements on polymeric gel or in different skin conditions (elderly skin and photoaged skin), the Reviscometer looks to be a recommendable instrument to measure slight changes in SC stiffness/suppleness induced by cosmetic products.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: a population-based cancer registry descriptive study of 66 consecutive cases diagnosed between 1982 and 2002.

BACKGROUND: Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare malignant tumour of the skin, with an estimated incidence of 0.8 to five cases per 1 million people per year. OBJECTIVE: To study epidemiological, immunohistochemical and clinical features, delay in diagnosis, type of treatment and outcome of DFSP from 1982 to 2002. METHODS: Using data from the population-based cancer registry, 66 patients with pathologically proved DFSP were included (fibrosarcomatous DFSP were excluded). Each patient lived in one of the four departments of Franche-Comté (overall population of 1 million people) at the time of diagnosis. The main data sources came from public and private pathology laboratories and medical records. The rules of the International Agency for Research on Cancer were applied. RESULTS: The estimated incidence of DFSP in Franche-Comté was about three new cases per 1 million people per year. Male patients were affected 1.2 times as often as female patients were. The trunk (45%) followed by the proximal extremities (38%) were the most frequent locations. DFSP occurred mainly in young adults between 20 and 39 years of age. Mean age at diagnosis was 43 years, and the mean delay in diagnosis was 10.08 years. Our 66 patients initially underwent a radical local excision. Among them, 27% experienced one or more local recurrences during 9.6 years of follow-up. There was one regional lymph node recurrence without visceral metastases. These recurrences were significantly related to the initial peripheral resection margins. We observed a local recurrence rate of 47% for margins less than 3 cm, vs. only 7% for margins ranging from 3 to 5 cm [P=0.004; OR=0.229 (95%, CI=0.103-0.510)]. The mean time to a first local recurrence was 2.65 years. Nevertheless, there was no death due to the DFSP course at the end of the follow-up, and the final outcome was favourable. CONCLUSION: Our study emphasizes the importance of wide local excision with margins of at least 3 cm in order to prevent local recurrence. However, the recent development of inhibitors of signal transduction by the PDGFB pathway should soon modify the surgical strategy, which is often too mutilating.

[Merkel cell carcinoma: descriptive study of 24 cases (1993-2001)]. / Carcinome à cellules de Merkel: étude descriptive de 24 cas (1993-2001).

INTRODUCTION: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare skin tumor with a highly malignant nature whose appropriate treatment is still debated. Wide surgery is the treatment of choice, but the question concerning protocols for adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy remains open. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 24 cases of MCC collected over a period of 9 years was performed, focusing on clinical and histologic features, and response to treatment. RESULTS: There were 17 women and 7 men with a mean age of 74.3 years. The median follow up was 34 months. The annual incidence per 100,000 habitants was 0.378. The head and neck localization was predominant (54%). Fifteen (68%) of patients presented with local disease (stage I), and 32% of patients presented with regional node (stage II) or distant metastases (stage III). Patients with stage I had a 5-years overall survival rate of 73,85%. Among them, five patients (33%) developed a local or nodal recurrence, although two patients were initially treated with surgery and local post-operative radiotherapy. Patients with stage II and III demonstrated a 5-year overall survival rate of 51,43%. DISCUSSION: Our series illustrates the clinical characteristics of this tumor of the elderly, which is mainly located on head and neck and associated with a poor prognosis. Treatments are discussed.

Spectrum of cross-photosensitization in 18 consecutive patients with contact photoallergy to ketoprofen: associated photoallergies to non-benzophenone-containing molecules.

Contact photoallergy to ketoprofen gels has been widely reported, and cross-sensitivity reactions with other compounds, such as tiaprofenic acid, fenofibrate and benzophenones, are well known. However, positive photopatch tests to other different non-benzophenone-related compounds have recently been observed. We report the results of photopatch testing in patients with contact photoallergy to ketoprofen and discuss the spectrum of cross-sensitization to ketoprofen. 18 consecutive patients with a history of photocontact dermatitis from ketoprofen were investigated. Patch and photopatch tests were performed. As expected, we observed positive photopatch tests to Ketum* gel and ketoprofen 2.5% in petrolatum in all patients (100%). However, it was remarkable to note positive photopatch tests to other unexpected and non-relevant allergens, including fentichlor (67%), tetrachlorosalicylanilide (28%), triclosan (17%), tribromsalan (11%) and bithionol (11%), with no clinical relevance. Interestingly, these agents belong to the family of halogenated salicylanilides and related compounds, which have been forbidden in Europe since the 1970s. Our results raise the question of hyper-photosusceptibility to non-relevant allergens induced by photosensitivity to ketoprofen. The mechanism may involve the high photoreactivity induced by the association of a benzene ring with an oxygen group.

Inhibition of caffeine metabolism by 5-methoxypsoralen in patients with psoriasis.

Eight patients with psoriasis were given 200 mg caffeine orally with or without 1.2 mg kg-1 of 5-methoxypsoralen. Blood and urine samples were collected over a 2-day period. During 5-methoxypsoralen coadministration, the apparent volume of distribution of caffeine remained unchanged, but oral clearance (CLp.o.) decreased from 9.5 +/- 3.8 (mean +/- s.d.) to 3.2 +/- 0.51 h-1 (P < 0.01). The area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) increased from 24 +/- 9 to 73 +/- 29 mg 1(-1) h (P < 0.001). This decrease in CLp.o. with increased AUC was consistent with a CYP1A2-dependent inhibition of caffeine N-demethylation which was further supported by significant decreases in the (AFMU+1U+1X)/17U and (AFMU+1U+1X)/17X urinary metabolic ratios.

Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis in infancy: report of two affected brothers.

We describe two brothers with eosinophilic pustular folliculitis. Both had recurrent crops of papules and pustules, primarily affecting the scalp. The eruption began in the neonatal period. Both children had a leucocytosis with eosinophilia. Histology revealed folliculitis, with an infiltrate in which eosinophils were predominant. Bacteriological and fungal cultures of pustules were negative. There was a good clinical response to treatment with a topical corticosteroid and dapsone. We review the 28 previously reported cases of eosinophilic pustular folliculitis in infancy. The occurrence of this disorder in brothers suggests that an inherited or contagious factor may be involved in its aetiology.