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Introduction Acellular dermal matrix (ADM) grafts of human dermis, dissected at the Centre for Burn Treatment Tissue Bank, constitute a skin substitute successfully used in patients with extensive and deep burns, as well as those suffering from chronic wounds. In addition, ADM may be applied in urogynaecological surgical procedures aiming to correct abnormalities of the reproductive organs. Aim The objective of this study was to present the currently proposed methods of ADM graft preparation as skin substitutes in wound treatment and other areas of regenerative medicine, and to propose possible quality control criteria for the abovementioned preparations. Material and methods Using keywords related to the removal of cells from the allogenic human dermis and the treatment of burns, the available scientific sources were reviewed and the available medical databases were analysed (NCBI MedLine, Clinical Key, Clinicaltrials.gov and MedlinePlus). Results and conclusions The principal methods of cell removal are chemical (detergents, acids, bases, chelating compounds, hypertonic and hypotonic solutions), physical (freezing, sonication, stirring, mechanical removal), biological (enzymes) and mixed methods, which synergistically combine the effectiveness of the aforementioned methods. It is of note that preserving the natural composition and the properties of the ADM under development during the cell removal process is highly desirable. Another essential aspect is the fact that the resulting grafts are microbiologically pure and are not cytotoxic. The use of physical methods to remove cells may leave traces of cell membrane elements, nucleic acids, etc. The use of biological and chemical methods, despite their high efficiency, may cause disruption of the composition and structure of the extracellular matrix with the loss of vital matrix components. In addition, the use of chemical methods may significantly contribute to cytotoxicity characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scalp amputation is a rare but serious trauma that is challenging from the surgeons perspective. Injuries usually occur in the avulsion mechanism, which creates difficulties during reconstruction. These problems include: determining the correct position of damaged head tissues, shortening and contraction of crushed vessels, as well as problems with the patency of the vessels following anastomosis due to damage to their inner layer. Many surgical methods are described to restore a lost organ with replantation still being the method of choice. The following article describes a failed attempt of scalp replantation in a 7-year-old girl. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growth hormone (GH) regulates metabolic processes, modulates the growth of the body, stimulates cell proliferation and differentiation. Human recombinant growth hormone is administered in growth disorders related to GH deficiency, wound treatment, as well as, contrary to the recommendations, in aesthetic medicine. GH and IGF affect skin homeostasis, primarily through the influence on the dermis and synthesis of collagen fibers but also on the epidermis and appendages of the skin. GH and IGF have also been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of skin lesions and diseases, primarily of the proliferative basis. Particular attention is paid to the proven positive effects of GH, IGF-I and IGF-II on the healing process, including wound healing. The work outlines the effects of GH i rhGH on skin processes, skin diseases, chronic wound healing, the occurrence and dysplasia of melanocytic nevi and also describes the role of GH in melanoma pathogenesis and metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emollients are topical agents with moisturizing, lubricating and smoothing properties. The most important action of emollients is restoring the disturbed epidermal barrier. This effect is achieved by various mechanisms: occlusive properties, attraction and keeping the water within the stratum corneum and supplying the physiological lipids and peptides, that lack in the disturbed epidermis. The final effects of emollients are reduction of inflammation, decrease of pruritus and better appearance of the skin. Emollients are the essential part of the therapy of many inflammatory skin diseases with disturbed epidermal barrier. They are used in the treatment of atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, keratinization disorders, chronic eczema, pruritic diseases and many other dermatoses. Emollients are often the adjuvant therapy, which is used together with topical corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors. There are several possible types of therapy: continuous, intermittent or proactive. This paper summarizes the knowledge about emollients, their mechanisms of action, the indications and proper way of application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The resistance determines the ability of an object to pass the electric current. Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the resistance characteristic of the skin upon exposure to an electric current. Material and methods: A total of 22 healthy volunteers (9 women and 13 men) aged between 20 and 65 years (mean: 29.9+13.4 years) were included in the study. Each subject was exposed to the electric current with the voltage of S, 8 and 10 V using a self-made stabilized voltage supply. Electrodes were mounted to forearm in a distance of 1 cm and the measurements of electric current intensity were performed in 10 second intervals for 1 minute using a M-3800 multimeter. Results: It was found that skin conducts the electric current in a non-linear fashion and the skin resistance decreases with time. Based on the mean values of our measurements a characteristic of resistance changes in the skin were calculated indicating that these changes show features of a decreasing logarithmic function. Conclusions: The changing skin resistance generates changes in the electric current intensity upon constant voltage value. If a constant value of electric current flow has to be obtained in the skin, the current source should enable the correction of voltage supply parallel to the resistance changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Angioma serpiginosum (AS) is a vascular disease, wherein teleangiectasias in the epidermis are found. In most cases it is a benign condition, rarely malformations of vessels associated with retina or spinal cord are also present. Etiology of the disease remains unknown -- one of the possible triggering factors is a mutation of a gene which plays a still undefined role in the angiogenesis. It is also hypothesized that AS is a benign form of Goltz-Gorlin syndrom. Some other possible triggering factors are proposed: misreaction to the tempererature lowering, trauma or sexual hormones. Primary lesions are teleangiectasias of tiny vessels, but the lesions may expend to fairly vast regions of the skin. In some patients there might be pain and tingling sensations reported. Either the onset or the development of the symptoms in AS are difficult to predict. Spontaneous relapse is possible, but rare. Nowadays the dermatosis is successfully treated with modern laser methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Certain dependences exist among such processes as ageing, apoptosis and neoplasia. The cell undergoes ageing or apoptosis to prevent transformation into neoplastic cell. Bcl-2 proteins have a main role in regulation of this process. Aim of the study: The aim of the study was assessment whether difference of Bcl-2 and BcI-XL expression level exists during the course of chronological ageing, menopausal ageing and photoageing within the epidermis and the corium. Material and methods: Study included the group of 60 healthy women with various symptoms of skin ageing at the age from 26 to 62 years. Three independent groups were distinguished, every group contained 20 persons. Group I consisted of women with symptoms of menopausal skin ageing, group II comprised women with symptoms of photoageing and Ill group included women with symptoms of chronological ageing. Biopsy specimens were taken in all women from preauricular region for immunohistochemical examinations. Study results: Studies of proteins participating in apoptosis did not reveal statistically significant differences between BcI-XL expression degree among the groups. Comparing intensity degree of Bcl-2 expression in the corium, statistically significant difference was proved between groups I and II and near statistical significance between groups II and Ill. Conclusions: 1. Expression of Bcl-2 protein during the course of photoageing occurs significantly more often and more intense. 2. There are no typical differences of BcI-XL expression among particular types of ageing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cutaneous mucinoses belong to the heterogenous group of diseases characterized by mucin accumulation in the dermis. Reticular erythematous mucinosis is a primary cutaneous mucinosis with typical clinical and histopathological features. A 34-year-old patient with clinical and histopathological picture which may point to reticular erythematous mucinosis has been reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Dry skin is a very common and serious clinical problem of about 15-20% of population. Aim of the study: Corneometric assessment of epidermis moisturizing after a single application of selected emollients: Physiogel® cream, Nivea® cream and 5% urea in eucerin. Material and methods: The study was conducted within a group of 37 people (37 women and 14 men) aged 19 to 62 years (average 42,1±12,8 years) with clinically dry skin. 37 people applied Physiogel® cream on the randomly chosen forearm skin, 17 people applied Nivea® cream and 20 people applied 5% urea in eucerin on the second forearm skin. Corneometric assessment were performed before (baseline) and 15, 30 min, 1, 2, 4, 6, 24 h after application of emollients. Results: The corneometric values significantly increased from the first measurement after 15 min of a single application of the Physiogel® cream, and the peak of the epidermis moisturizing was also observed after 15 min (p<0.001). The peak remained unchanged at the similar level up to 6 hours after application. The slow decrease of epidermis moisturizing was noticed in the following hours, but after 24 hours the corneometric values were still significantly higher than before application (p<0.001). The peak of the epidermis moisturizing was observed after 4 hours and remained unchanged at the similar level up to 6 hours after application of Nivea® cream and 5% urea in the eucerin vehicle. The slow decrease of epidermis moisturizing was noticed in the following hours. Physiogel® cream provided better moisturaization of the epidermis than Nivea® cream and 5% urea in the eucerin vehicle during the whole period of measurements (p≤0.001). Conclusions: The highest and quickest improvement of epidermis hydration is observed after a single application of Physiogel® cream containing structured physiological lipids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last years it is observed a tremendous increase in understanding the biology of stem cells (stem cells, SC) as well as interest to employ these cells in the clinic. Evidence accumulates that SC participate in regeneration of injured organs and tissues. Epidermis is the richest source of SC which could be relatively easy isolated. These cells provide new perspectives for treatment of several skin disorders such as for example extensive burns and trophic ulcers. In this review we will summarize main features of epidermal SC such as their heterogenity, differentiation potential and markers that allow for their isolation. We also discussed potential application of these cells for skin regeneration and repair of burns and trophic ulcers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Mometasone furoate is a common topical steroid. Many clinical studies have reported its high efficacy and safety both in adult and pediatric patients. Mometasone furoate is available in three formulations: cream, ointment and solution. The aim of the study was the comparison of the influence of mometasone furoate cream and ointment on the epidermal barrier. Material and methods: 32 patients suffering from chronic skin diseases participated in the study. A single application of mometasone furoate 0.1% cream and ointment (Elocom®, Schering-Plough), was performed on the patients forearms („left to right" comparison). Corneometric and transepidermal water loss measurments were performed 15 and 30 minutes after application, as well as 1,2,4,6 and 24 hours after. Results: The maximal epidermal hydratation was achieved in the second hour after a single application of the examined preparations (p<0.001). Epidermal hydratation maintained at the same level for the next two hours, then decreased and after 24 hours reached the baseline level. There were no significant differences between the measurements after the application of two examined preparations. A single application of mometasone furoate in cream and in ointment did not change significantly the transepidermal water loss. Conclusions: Both formulations of mometasone furoate - cream and ointment provided similar epidermal hydration and similar effect on transepidermal water loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]