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Penetrating deep into the cells of the human body in real time has become increasingly possible with the implementation of modern technologies in medicine. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) enables the effective live imaging of cellular and molecular structures of biological samples (such as cells surfaces, components of biological membranes, cell nuclei, actin networks, proteins, and DNA) and provides three-dimensional surface visualization (in X-, Y-, and Z-planes). Furthermore, the AFM technique enables the study of the mechanical, electrical, and magnetic properties of cells and cell organelles and the measurements of interaction forces between biomolecules. The technique has found wide application in cancer research. With the use of AFM, it is not only possible to differentiate between healthy and cancerous cells, but also to distinguish between the stages of cancerous conditions. For many years, AFM has been an important tool for the study of neurodegenerative diseases associated with the deposition of peptide amyloid plaques. In recent years, a significant amount of research has been conducted on the application of AFM in the evaluation of connective tissue cell mechanics. This review aims to provide the spectrum of the most important applications of the AFM technique in medicine to date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lichen planopilaris (LPP) is a chronic lymphocytic skin disease manifested by progressive scarring alopecia. The diagnosis of LPP is made based on histopathological examination, although it is not always definite. The current study evaluates the effectiveness of non‐invasive atomic force microscopy (AFM) hair examination in detecting morphological differences between healthy and diseased hair. Materials and methods: Here, three to five hairs from lesional skin of 10 LPP patients were collected and examined at nine locations using AFM. At least four images were taken at each of the nine sites. Metric measurements were taken and metric (length, width, and scale step height) and morphological features (striated and smooth surface of scales, the presence of endocuticle and cortex, shape of scales edges, scratches, pitting, cracks, globules, and wavy edge) were compared with hair from healthy controls. In addition, areas on diseased hair where the process of pathological, unnatural delamination of the hair fiber occurs are described. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in the number of scratches in the initial sections of the LPP hair, in the intensity of wavy edges along the entire length of the tested hair, and in the number of scales with pitting in the middle section of the hair. In addition, a statistically significant higher number of scales with striated surface was found in LPP group starting at 3.5 cm from the root continuing towards the free end of the hair. Other morphological changes such as presence of cortex, globules, oval indentations, and rod‐like macrofibrillar elements were also assessed, however, detailed results are not presented, as the differences shown in the number of these morphological changes were not significantly different. Conclusion: This publication outlines the differences between virgin, healthy Caucasian hair, and the hair of LPP patients. The results of this study can be used for further research and work related to LPP. This is the first attempt to characterize the hair of LPP patients using AFM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lichen planopilaris (LPP) and frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) are the most common causes of lymphocytic scarring alopecia. Itching of the scalp is a common accompanying symptom. The aim of the study was the clinical assessment of pruritus and its correlation with dermoscopic features. Methods: Sixty-one patients with scarring alopecia were analyzed (LPP = 16; FFA = 33; coexisting LPP-FFA = 12). Each patient underwent a trichoscopic examination. Itch severity and characteristics were assessed using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), 4-item Itch Questionnaire and 12-item Descriptive Pruritus Assessment Questionnaire. Results: Itching of the scalp occurred in 73.8% of the patients (mean maximal VAS 5.3 ± 3.1 points). Pruritus was most frequently accompanied by tingling (19.7%) or burning (14.8%) sensations. The following factors most frequently increased the severity of pruritus: sweating, heat, stress and hot water. On the other hand, cold water and cold air often relieved symptoms. There was a significant relationship between itch and perifollicular scaling (p = 0.011), hair diameter diversity (p = 0.008) and white halo (p = 0.016). Conclusions: Pruritus was the main subjective complaint reported by patients suffering from LPP and FFA. A better understanding of pruritic features may help in the selection of an effective therapeutic strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic, multisystemic, inflammatory disease affecting approximately 1% of children and significantly reducing their health-related quality of life. Etanercept is a biologic fusion protein-blocking TNF-α and belongs to one of the biologics used among the children population. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety profile of etanercept in paediatric patients with plaque-type psoriasis. Material and methods: The outcome of the treatment was evaluated based on Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), Body Surface Area (BSA), and Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI). Achievement of at least PASI75 at week 16 was assessed as an adequate response to therapy, which was the primary endpoint. Results: Forty-three paediatric patients were included in the study, 24 females and 19 males. The average age at inclusion into our study was 13 years. At baseline, the mean PASI score, BSA, and CDLQI were 16.3 ± 6.5, 22.3 ± 12.2%, and 17.4 ± 5.3, respectively. At week 16, 90.7% of patients achieved PASI 50, 79.1% achieved PASI 75, and 46.5% attained PASI 90. There was also a decrease in mean BSA and CDLQI values to 3.5 ± 3.8 and 5.4 ± 5.7, respectively. Conclusions: Etanercept proved to be effective, safe, and well-tolerated among the paediatric population with psoriasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systemic sclerosis is a systemic connective tissue disease whose main pathophysiological mechanism is a progressive fibrosis of internal organs and skin leading to thickening and induration. Blood vessels may also be involved. However, systemic scleroderma is not the only disease causing cutaneous sclerosis. There is a group of diseases that mimic scleroderma in their clinical presentation - these are scleroderma-like syndromes. A distinction can be made between syndromes of inflammatory/autoimmune, genetic, metabolic, toxic, drug-induced, occupational, paraneoplastic and syndromes caused by deposition disorders. In the following paper, we have reviewed the literature on scleroderma-like syndromes. We have outlined the factors predisposing to the development of each disease, its pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnostic and treatment process and the differences between each syndrome and systemic scleroderma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For assessing health‐related quality of life in patients with chronic wounds, the Wound‐QoL questionnaire has been developed. Two different versions exist: the Wound‐QoL‐17 and the Wound‐QoL‐14. For international and cross‐cultural comparisons, it is necessary to demonstrate psychometric properties in an international study. Therefore, the aim of this study was to test both questionnaires in a European sample, using item response theory (IRT). Participants were recruited in eight European countries. Item characteristic curves (ICC), item information curves (IIC) and differential item functioning (DIF) were calculated. In both questionnaires, ICCs for most items were well‐ordered and sufficiently distinct. For items, in which adjacent response categories were not sufficiently distinct, response options were merged. IICs showed that items on sleep and on pain, on worries as well as on day‐to‐day and leisure activities had considerably high informational value. In the Wound‐QoL‐14, the item on social activities showed DIFs regarding the country and age. The same applied for the Wound‐QoL‐17, in which also the item on stairs showed DIFs regarding age. Our study showed comparable results across both versions of the Wound‐QoL. We established a new scoring method, which could be applied in international research projects. For clinical practice, the original scoring can be maintained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]