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Dermatophytes are filamentous keratinophilic fungi responsible for superficial fungal diseases involving the skin, hair, or nails. On the basis of the site of the lesions, conditions are called tinea corporis, [...]

Kimura disease (KD) is a rare, chronic angiolymphoproliferative inflammatory disease appearing to be mostly restricted to the skin and soft tissue. Cutaneous involvement of KD includes head and/or neck nodules showing suggestive histological features, frequently associated with an atopic dermatitis-like or prurigo-like presentation. KD is challenging to treat, with high rate of recurrence using current therapeutic strategies. Evidence for involvement of a T-helper type 2 (Th2) immune response in KD pathogenesis has been found in previous studies. Consequently, this study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of dupilumab, a human monoclonal antibody that inhibits signalling of key Th2 cytokines, interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13, within a single-centre cohort of patients with cutaneous KD. Two adults with a diagnosis of refractory (failure of at least one treatment line) cutaneous-restricted KD based on clinical, biological, histological, molecular and imaging findings received dupilumab for KD, and showed dramatic response with a good safety profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Software to predict the impact of aging on physical appearance is increasingly popular. But it does not consider the complex interplay of factors that contribute to skin aging. Objectives: To predict the +15‐year progression of clinical signs of skin aging by developing Causal Bayesian Belief Networks (CBBNs) using expert knowledge from dermatologists. Material and methods: Structures and conditional probability distributions were elicited worldwide from dermatologists with experience of at least 15 years in aesthetics. CBBN models were built for all phototypes and for ages ranging from 18 to 65 years, focusing on wrinkles, pigmentary heterogeneity and facial ptosis. Models were also evaluated by a group of independent dermatologists ensuring the quality of prediction of the cumulative effects of extrinsic and intrinsic skin aging factors, especially the distribution of scores for clinical signs 15 years after the initial assessment. Results: For easiness, only models on African skins are presented in this paper. The forehead wrinkle evolution model has been detailed. Specific atlas and extrinsic factors of facial aging were used for this skin type. But the prediction method has been validated for all phototypes, and for all clinical signs of facial aging. Conclusion: This method proposes a skin aging model that predicts the aging process for each clinical sign, considering endogenous and exogenous factors. It simulates aging curves according to lifestyle. It can be used as a preventive tool and could be coupled with a generative AI algorithm to visualize aging and, potentially, other skin conditions, using appropriate images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a rare genetic condition called acrogeria, which is characterized by the resorption of bones in the distal phalanges. It is caused by a mutation in the LMNA gene and shares similarities with other laminopathies. The article describes a case of acrogeria in a 35-year-old woman from South Korea and highlights the clinical features and diagnostic methods used. Acrogeria is distinguished by its unique distribution of progeroid traits and the absence of widespread osteoporosis. The article emphasizes the importance of considering cardiovascular complications in patients with acrogeria. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: Leprosy reactions (LRs) are inflammatory responses observed in 30%-50% of people with leprosy. First-line treatment is glucocorticoids (GCs), often administered at high doses with prolonged courses, resulting in high morbi-mortality. Methotrexate (MTX) is an immunomodulating agent used to treat inflammatory diseases and has an excellent safety profile and worldwide availability. In this study, we describe the efficacy, GCs-sparing effect and safety of MTX in LRs. Methods: We conducted a retrospective multicentric study in France consisting of leprosy patients receiving MTX for a reversal reaction (RR) and/or erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) since 2016. The primary endpoint was the rate of good response (GR) defined as the complete disappearance of inflammatory cutaneous or neurological symptoms without recurrence during MTX treatment. The secondary endpoint was the GCs-sparing effect, safety and clinical relapse after MTX discontinuation. Results: Our study included 13 patients with LRs (8 men, 5 women): 6 had ENL and 7 had RR. All patients had had at least one previous course of GCs and 2 previous treatment lines before starting MTX. Overall, 8/13 (61.5%) patients had GR, allowing for GCs-sparing and even GCs withdrawal in 6/11 (54.5%). No severe adverse effects were observed. Relapse after MTX discontinuation was substantial (42%): the median relapse time was 5.5 months (range 3–14) after stopping treatment. Conclusion: MTX seems to be an effective alternative treatment in LRs, allowing for GCs-sparing with a good safety profile. Furthermore, early introduction during LRs may lead to a better therapeutic response. However, its efficacy seems to suggest prolonged therapy to prevent recurrence. Author summary: Leprosy reactions (LRs) are acute inflammatory episodes that complicate 30% to 50% of Mycobacterium leprae infections. Type 1 is known as reversal reaction (RR), and type 2 is known as erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL). The two types have relatively distinct pathogenesis and clinical features; furthermore, they can advance to become severe and progress to irreversible nerve damage and deformities. Beyond leprosy infection, LR can bring about neurological burden, poor quality of life, and risk of further descent into poverty for often young patients. Despite effective standardized treatment of leprosy infection with multidrug therapy (MDT) since 1981, treating LRs prove to be challenging. First-line treatment of LR is based on prolonged systemic glucocorticoids (GCs) therapy. The current challenge in leprosy is now to develop and evaluate new therapeutic alternatives to reduce not only the sequelae and morbidity of LR but also the lasting side effects of GCs. Thalidomide is an effective alternative in moderate to severe ENL, but its use is limited given its numerous adverse effects. Methotrexate (MTX) is an immunomodulating agent used to treat inflammatory diseases and has an excellent safety profile and worldwide availability. Here, we describe the efficacy, GCs-sparing effect, and safety of MTX in LR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Gliomas remain the most common primary brain tumor in adults. Although they are classified based on the IDH mutation status very little is known considering this alteration in the elderly glioma population. Because IDH-mutated gliomas are associated with better prognosis in the young population, it is essential to characterize its role in elderly and more frail patients to help physicians' therapeutic decisions. In this study, we demonstrated that elderly IDH-mutated gliomas had very similar characteristics to those found in the younger population but were significantly different from elderly IDH wild-type gliomas. However, patient management in this population appeared to be suboptimal, with less frequent gross total resection and irradiation. We showed that an optimal therapeutic combination of radio-chemotherapy could be safe and feasible for these elderly patients to aid in their management. Finally, we identified specific geriatric prognostic factors such as mobility, neuropsychological disorders, body mass index, and autonomy that can help physicians make future therapeutic decisions for this specific elderly population with a better prognosis. Background: Describe the characteristics, patterns of care, and predictive geriatric factors of elderly patients with IDHm high-grade glioma (HGG) included in the French POLA network. Material and Methods: The characteristics of elderly (≥70 years) patients IDHm HGG were compared to those of younger patients IDHm HGG (<70 years) and of elderly patients IDHwt HGG. Geriatric features were collected. Results: Out of 1433 HGG patients included, 119 (8.3%) were ≥70 years. Among them, 39 presented with IDHm HGG. The main characteristics of elderly IDHm HGG were different from those of elderly IDHwt HGG but similar to those of younger IDHm HGG. In contrast, their therapeutic management was different from those of younger IDHm HGG with less frequent gross total resection and radiotherapy. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were longer for elderly patients IDHm HGG (29.3 months and 62.1 months) than elderly patients IDHwt HGG (8.3 months and 13.3 months) but shorter than those of younger patients IDHm HGG (69.1 months and not reached). Geriatric factors associated with PFS and OS were mobility, neuropsychological disorders, body mass index, and autonomy. Geriatric factors associated with PFS and OS were mobility, neuropsychological disorders, and body mass index, and autonomy. Conclusion: the outcome of IDHm HGG in elderly patients is better than that of IDHwt HGG. Geriatric assessment may be particularly important to optimally manage these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In situ investigations of cracks propagating at up to 2.5 km s-1 along an (001) plane of a silicon single crystal are reported, using X-ray diffraction megahertz imaging with intense and time-structured synchrotron radiation. The studied system is based on the Smart Cut process, where a buried layer in a material (typically Si) is weakened by microcracks and then used to drive a macroscopic crack (10-1 m) in a plane parallel to the surface with minimal deviation (10-9 m). A direct confirmation that the shape of the crack front is not affected by the distribution of the microcracks is provided. Instantaneous crack velocities over the centimetre-wide field of view were measured and showed an effect of local heating by the X-ray beam. The post-crack movements of the separated wafer parts could also be observed and explained using pneumatics and elasticity. A comprehensive view of controlled fracture propagation in a crystalline material is provided, paving the way for the in situ measurement of ultra-fast strain field propagation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: At present there is no standard nomenclature for describing the diversity of human constitutive skin colour. Objectives: To develop a standard nomenclature to describe human constitutive skin colour. Methods: Monthly focus group discussions were carried out among a multidisciplinary group of specialists over a 7‐month period. Topics covered were (i) limitations and unmet needs of current nomenclature(s) pertaining to human cutaneous diversity, (ii) practical considerations about the function and role of any proposed nomenclature pertaining to human cutaneous diversity, (iii) review of the cellular basis and current molecular genetic understanding of variation in human skin pigmentation and (iv) in vivo methods to evaluate human skin pigmentation. In addition, a preliminary review of the published literature was undertaken to collate data on published skin reflectance measurements, notably melanin index values for well‐referenced human populations. Results: We developed a five‐point scale to describe the full spectrum of human constitutive skin colour, termed the Eumelanin Human Skin Colour Scale. The nomenclature of the scale uses eumelanin, the dominant chromophore of human skin, as a central descriptive word. The categories of the scale (nomenclature and melanin index values) are eumelanin low (EML), < 25; eumelanin intermediate low (EMIL), 25 to < 50; eumelanin intermediate (EMI), 50 to < 75; eumelanin intermediate high (EMIH), 75 to < 100; and eumelanin high (EH), ≥ 100. Conclusions: The Eumelanin Human Skin Colour Scale enables the complete range of human constitutive skin colour to be described in an objective, equitable and understandable manner. In future, this scale can be used as the basis for developing other scales that address the specific functional aspects of human skin, such as response to ultraviolet radiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this chapter, the real-time non-rigid tracking system to continuously estimate the deformations of the manipulated objects is described, using visual and range data provided by an RGB-D sensor. Based on the models described in the previous chapter, the method enables to deal with various deformations (elastic and plastic), fractures, and contacts, while ensuring physical consistency, handling rigid motions, occlusions, and addressing these tasks in real-time. It relies on a prior visual segmentation of the object in the RGB image. The mesh is registered first in a rigid manner with a classical ICP algorithm between the visible surface of the mesh and the segmented point cloud. A non-rigid fitting phase is then performed by determining geometrical point-to-point correspondences with the point cloud, used to compute external forces exerted on the mesh. Deformations are computed by solving mechanical equations balancing these external forces with internal forces provided by the FEM models. A technique to estimate the elastic parameters of the object is proposed by minimizing a fitting error between the simulated deformations, actuated by the input operator force provided by a force sensor, and the deformations captured by theRGB-D camera. Conversely, estimating a contact force exerted on the object can be carried out using point cloud data byminimizing the deviation between the registered and the simulated deformations. The system has been evaluated on synthetic and real data, with various objects, deformation, and interaction scenarios, and by integrating it into manipulation experiments on the RoDyMan humanoid robotic platform. This chapter is based on the works presented in [1-3]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manipulation tasks require capturing the deformations undergone by the manipulated object. In order to handle various sorts and magnitudes of deformations, physical deformationmodels have been employed based on FEM. By resorting to linear elasticity with a volumetric formulation, thesemodels simulate large strainswhile handling volumetric effects. For perception, such modelling provides physically consistent regularization to registered deformations, especially over areas unobserved by the sensing system. Besides elasticity modelling, fracture models are investigated to cope with potential cracks or tears of the manipulated objects as well as collision models to deal with multiple interacting objects or interactions with the environment. Also, these models have proven to be computationally efficient and are thus suitable for dynamic manipulation. This chapter is based on the works presented in [1, 2]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intra-arterial therapy is an effective way of performing chemotherapy or radiation therapy in patients with primary liver cancer (i.e. hepatocellular carcinoma). Although this minimally invasive approach is now an established treatment option, support tools for pre-operative planning and intra-operative assistance might be helpful. We developed an approach for semi-automatic segmentation of computed tomography angiography images of the main arterial branches (required for access path to the treatment site), automatic segmentation of the liver, arterial and venous tree, and interactive segmentation of the tumors (required for procedure-specific planning). This approach was then integrated into a liver-specific workflow within EndoSize® solution, a planning software for endovascular procedures. The main branches extraction approach was qualitatively evaluated inside the software, while the automatic segmentation methods were quantitatively assessed. Main branches extraction provides a success rate of 85% (i.e. all arteries correctly extracted) in a dataset of 172 patients. On public databases, a mean DICE of 0.91, 0.47 and 0.92 was obtained for liver, venous and arterial trees segmentation, respectively. This pipeline is suitable for directly accessing the treatment site, giving anatomic measurements, and visualizing the hepatic trees, liver, and surrounding arteries during the pre-operative planning. HCC: hepatocellular carcinoma; TACE: transarterial chemoembolization; SIRT: selective internal radiation therapy; CT: computed tomography; CTA: computed tomography angiography; AMS: superior mesenteric artery; LGA: left gastric artery; RHA: right hepatic artery; LHA: left hepatic artery; rbHA: right branch of the hepatic artery; lbHA: left branch of the hepatic artery; GDA: gastroduodenal artery; VOI: volume of interest; SD: standard deviation; MICCAI: medical image computing and computer assisted interventions; MR: magnetic resonance [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In addition to general measures, pharmacological treatment is the basis of the management of scabies. No recent data in real‐life are available on the efficacy and safety of 10% benzyl benzoate emulsion for skin application administered as monotherapy. Method: This prospective, multicenter, French observational study comprised a registry and a prospective cohort with a follow‐up at 28 days and a telephone call at week 12. To participate in the registry, patients had to be over 1 month old, ambulatory, presenting common, nonhyperkeratotic, untreated scabies. To be included in the cohort, patients had to be included in the registry and treated with two applications of 10% benzyl benzoate emulsion 8 days apart. The primary endpoint was cure at day 28. Results: Of the 186 patients included in the registry, 116 were included in the cohort. Fourteen patients were included in the cohort without being included in the registry, which led to a total of 130 patients in the cohort. At day 28, 119/130 (91.5%; 95% CI 85.4–95.6%) were clinically cured. The cure was confirmed by dermoscopy in 44/47 patients (93%). Among the 130 patients, the cure rate was 82% at week 12. Of the 119 patients cured at day 28, the rate of cure at week 12 was 89.9%. Conclusion: In real life, two applications of 10% benzyl benzoate emulsion 8 days apart provides high cure rates in patients with common scabies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article titled "Back Cover" is based on the original article "Predicting the evolution of clinical skin aging in a multi-ethnic population: Developing causal Bayesian networks using dermatological expertise" by Hussein Jouni et al. The study focuses on predicting the progression of skin aging in a diverse population using Bayesian networks. The authors include a wide range of experts in the field of dermatology and explore the impact of various factors on skin aging. This research provides valuable insights into understanding and addressing skin aging in different ethnic groups. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Some keloids show cystic cavities that give rise to acute inflammatory flares and oozing. These suppurative keloids (SK) have rarely been systematically studied. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to evaluate SK frequency and its risk factors. We also reviewed microbiological analyses as well as the histological features of removed SKs. Methods: Between July 1, 2015, and September 30, 2016, all adult patients attending a specialized keloid clinic were asked to participate. Clinical information and microbiological results were extracted from each patient's file. Histological features were observed and interpreted. Results: In this study, we observed an SK rate of 26% for a mean keloid history of 17.2 years. Male gender, African ancestry, and a family history of keloids were significantly associated with suppuration. Microbiological examination revealed commensal skin flora 7/9 (77.8%), Staphylococcus aureus 1/9 (11.1%), and Enterococcus faecalis 1/9 (11.1%). Conclusion: Suppuration is a common complication of keloids occurring in patients with severe keloid disease and may arise from pilosebaceous occlusion and aseptic inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The fusion of pre/intraoperative images may improve catheter manipulation during radioembolization (RE) interventions by adding relevant information. The objective of this work is to propose and evaluate the performance of a RE guidance strategy relying on structure-driven intensity-based registration between preoperative CTA and intraoperative X-ray images. Methods: The navigation strategy is decomposed into three image fusion steps, supporting the catheter navigation from the femoral artery till reaching the injection site (IS). During the pretreatment assessment intervention, the aorta and the origins of its side branches are projected on the intraoperative 2D fluoroscopy following a 3D/2D bone-based registration process, to assist the celiac trunk access. Subsequently, a similar approach consisting in projecting the hepatic vasculature on intraoperative DSA through 3D/2D vessel-based registration is performed to assist the IS location. Lastly, the selected IS is reproduced during the treatment intervention by employing 2D/2D image-based registration between pretreatment and treatment fluoroscopic images. Results: The three fusion steps were independently evaluated on subsets of 20, 19 and 5 patient cases, respectively. Best results were obtained with gradient difference as similarity measure and with a delimited preoperative vascular structure for vessel-based registration. The approach resulted in qualitatively appropriate anatomical correspondences when projecting the preoperative structures on intraoperative images. With the best configuration, the registration steps showed accuracy and feasibility in aligning data, with global mean landmarks errors of 1.59 mm, 2.32 mm and 2.17 mm, respectively, a computation time that never exceeded 5 s, 25 s and 11 s, respectively, and a user interaction limited to manual initialization of the 3D/2D registration. Conclusion: An image fusion-based approach has been specifically proposed for RE procedures guidance. The catheter manipulation strategy based on the fusion of pre- and intraoperative images has the potential to support different steps of the RE clinical workflow and to guide the overall procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Maxime. Battistella, Geoffroy. Hickman, Antoine. Petit, Bouchra. Asli, Jean-David. Bouaziz, Anne. Janin, Martine. Bagot Sir, Several skin disorders have been described in patients with monoclonal gammapathies. [sup][1] Only two [...]

K2-19 hosts a planetary system composed of two outer planets, b and c, with size of 7.0 ± 0.2 R⊕ and 4.1 ± 0.2 R⊕, and an inner planet, d, with a radius of 1.11 ± 0.05 R⊕. A recent analysis of Transit-Timing Variations (TTVs) suggested b and c are close to but not in 3:2 mean motion resonance (MMR) because the classical resonant angles circulate. Such an architecture challenges our understanding of planet formation. Indeed, planet migration through the protoplanetary disc should lead to a capture into the MMR. Here, we show that the planets are in fact, locked into the 3:2 resonance despite circulation of the conventional resonant angles and aligned periapses. However, we show that such an orbital configuration cannot be maintained for more than a few hundred million years due to the tidal dissipation experienced by planet d. The tidal dissipation remains efficient because of a secular forcing of the innermost planet eccentricity by planets b and c. While the observations strongly rule out an orbital solution where the three planets are on close to circular orbits, it remains possible that a fourth planet is affecting the TTVs such that the four planet system is consistent with the tidal constraints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Folliculitis decalvans (FD) is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown aetiology. Although Staphylococcus aureus, frequently found on lesional skin, is thought to play a causal role, the importance of its involvement remains controversial. To examine the role of S aureus, we compared superficial and subepidermal microbiota in 20 FD patients who had S aureus on lesional skin and in 20 healthy controls using culture techniques and genomic identification, before and after an anti‐staphylococcal treatment; we also screened for S aureus virulence factors. When present on lesional skin, S aureus colonized non‐lesional and subepidermal skin in 80% of cases. These data imply a break in the epidermal barrier integrity and that an abnormal non‐lesional skin microbiota persists in FD. S aureus had no superantigenic toxin in 31% of cases and no toxin specificity. Clinical improvement obtained in most cases upon treatment was associated with the disappearance of S aureus in all studied areas, with an incomplete restoration of normal microbiota and a significant increase in negative bacterial samples. This persistent unbalanced, subepidermal microbiota may act as a reservoir of abnormal flora and explain the chronicity of FD, suggesting new avenues of research to restore normal microbiota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pragmatic General Multicast (PGM) is a reliable multicast protocol, designed to minimize both the probability of negative acknowledgement implosion and the load of the network due to the retransmission of lost packets. This protocol was presented to the Internet Engineering Task Force as an open reference specification. In this paper, we focus on the main reliability property which PGM intends to guarantee: a receiver either receives all data packets from transmissions and repairs or is able to detect unrecoverable data packet loss. We first propose a modelization of (a simplified version of) PGM via a network of timed automata. Using the UPPAAL model-checker, we then study the validity of the above reliability property, which does not always turn out to be verified, but to depend on the values of several parameters, which we underscore. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]