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Background and Objective: Vitiligo is a chronic skin damage disease, triggered by differential melanocyte death. Vitiligo (0.5%–1% of the population) is one of the most severe skin conditions. In general, the foundation of the condition of vitiligo remains gradual patchy loss of skin pigmentation, overlying blood, and sometimes mucus. This paper provides a systematic review of the relevant publications and conference papers based on the subject of vitiligo diagnosis and confirmation through computer‐aided machine learning (ML) techniques. Materials and Methods: A search was conducted using a predetermined set of keywords across three databases, namely, Science Direct, PubMed, and IEEE Xplore. The selection process involved the application of eligibility criteria, which led to the inclusion of research published in reputable journals and conference proceedings up until June 2024. These selected papers were then subjected to full‐text screening for additional analysis. Research publications that involved application of ML techniques with targeted population of vitiligo were selected for further systematic review. Results: Ten selected and screened studies are included in this systematic review after applying eligibility criteria along with inclusion and exclusion criteria applied on initial search result which was 244 studies based on vitiligo. Priority is given to those studies only which use ML techniques to perform detection and diagnosis on vitiligo‐targeted population. Data analysis was carried out only from the selected and screened research articles that were published in authentic journals and conference proceedings. Conclusion: The importance of applying ML techniques in the clinical diagnosis of vitiligo can give more accurate results and at the same also eliminate the need of biased human judgement. Based on a comprehensive examination of the research, encompassing the methodologies employed and the metrics utilized to assess outcomes, it was determined that there is a need for further research and investigation regarding the application of ML algorithm for the detection and diagnosis of vitiligo with different datasets and more feature extraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malignant melanoma is one of the most important dermatological neoplasms. The high mortality rate associated with this skin disease is primarily due to the occurrence of metastases, while the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma in its early stages has a favorable prognosis. Early detection is crucial because the success of treatment is directly related to the depth of cancerous growth. The family of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) plays a critical role in the initiation and progression of melanoma. Prominent MMPs, including MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, MMP-13, and MMP-14, have been shown to significantly contribute to the development of melanoma. The tumor microenvironment, particularly the extracellular matrix (ECM), has emerged as a critical factor in modulating cancer progression. This review focuses on the role of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in ECM degradation and the subsequent progression of melanoma, as well as their potential as therapeutic targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study systematically reviews existing data on the efficacy of Tyrosine Kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitors in comparison to placebo or standard treatments for therapeutic benefit and improving quality of life in dermatological diseases. Seventeen records representing 13 clinical trials, one matching‐adjusted indirect comparison, and one case study were included. Results indicate that Deucravacitinib is superior to placebo, Apremilast and Adalimumab in treating adult patients with moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis and superior to placebo in the treatment of adults with systemic lupus erythematosus. Comparative investigations on Brepocitinib and Ropsacitinib were more limited. Oral Brepocitinib demonstrated superiority over placebo in managing alopecia areata, and hidradenitis suppurativa. Topical Brepocitinib exhibited superiority over placebo in treating atopic dermatitis, but not plaque psoriasis. Ropsacitinib demonstrated superiority over placebo in the management of plaque psoriasis. Brepocitinib and Ropsacitinib had more side effects than Deucravacitinib. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cold climate and unique genetic and environmental factors may influence the prevalence of skin diseases in Greenland. However, there is a lack of epidemiological studies on skin diseases in the adult Greenlandic population. To address this unmet need a cross-sectional study, run by dermatologists from Denmark, the UK, and Switzerland estimated the prevalence and clinical manifestations of skin diseases among adults in East Greenland in May 2022. All adults ≥18 years in the town of Tasiilaq were invited, and 295 individuals aged 18–78 years participated (22.5% of the overall adult population in Tasiilaq). Two-hundred and three participants (69%) had visible signs of current skin disease, and among these, 242 cases of dermatoses were identified. The most common skin diseases were hand eczema (22.4%), lichen simplex (9.5%), discoid eczema (7.1%), psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and acne vulgaris (5.8% each). Scabies was the most frequent infectious skin disease (4.4%). No cases of skin cancer were identified. Atopic dermatitis and psoriasis presented with disease that was of limited extent and different from the classical presentations. Skin diseases showed a high prevalence among adults in East Greenland, and some of them were severe. This indicates a noteworthy public health problem that warrants better access to dermatologist support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The diversity of skin diseases in patients with malignancies leads to diagnostic difficulties and complicate cancer treatment. Furthermore, the increasing use of chemotherapy drugs and novel treatment regimens raises the risk of the development of various cutaneous side effects and the need for dermatologists during cancer management. We investigated the skin diseases in patients with malignancies and the cutaneous side effects of cancer treatments. Methods: Medical records of cancer patients evaluated in the Dermatology clinic between July 2018 and April 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. Results: This study included 872 cancer patients, 374 females and 498 males. Acute myeloid leukaemia was the most common malignancy, followed by multiple myeloma and invasive ductal breast carcinoma. Graft versus host disease was observed in 89 (10.2%) patients after stem cell transplantation and radiodermatitis developed in 16 (1.8%) patients. Maculopapular drug eruption and hand foot syndrome were the most common cutaneous side effects of chemotherapy drugs. Capecitabine was the most common etiologic agent in hand foot syndrome. Cellulitis was the most frequent bacterial infection in cancer patients, whereas herpes zoster was the most frequent viral infection. Among the chemotherapy drugs that caused acneiform drug eruption, cetuximab and cytarabine were notable. Facial erythema was associated with cytarabine use in 27.3% of patients. Conclusion: Identifying the common skin diseases in cancer patients and cutaneous side effects due to chemotherapy drugs may help to take preventive measures, develop specific and effective treatments, determine the most appropriate cancer treatment options, and increase patients' compliance with cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated skin disease known to be associated with a higher risk of cardiometabolic comorbidities such as hypertension, myocardial infarction, and stroke. GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are medications approved to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity and have been reported to improve psoriasis. As more psoriasis patients start GLP-1RAs for approved indications, it is of interest to understand the impact of GLP-1RAs on both psoriasis and associated cardiovascular risk. In this review, we examine the effect of GLP-1RAs on psoriasis and cardiovascular comorbidities-defined as hypertension, stroke, and myocardial infarction. The majority of case reports and prospective cohort studies found GLP-1RAs improved psoriasis, while two randomized controlled trials showed conflicting results. For cardiovascular disease, most studies found GLP-1RAs reduced systolic blood pressure, total stroke, and myocardial mortality. These results suggest that GLP-1RAs may be a particularly promising treatment for psoriasis patients with diabetes or obesity comorbidities, offering both cardioprotective benefits and potential improvement in psoriatic symptoms.

Nanoparticles (NPs) have revolutionized the field of skin protection and treatment by offering unique properties that enhance drug delivery, efficacy and safety. This review explores the advances in NP technology for various skin applications, including protection against ultraviolet (UV) radiation, treatment of skin diseases and enhancement of cosmetic products. NPs, such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, are extensively used in sunscreens for their effective UV-blocking capabilities without leaving a white residue. In medical applications, NPs improve active ingredients' stability, penetration, and controlled release, making them ideal for treating skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema and skin cancer. The review also highlights the role of NPs in cosmetic formulations, where they enhance product texture, stability, and bioavailability of active ingredients, leading to better skin hydration and antiaging effects. Despite their benefits, the potential risks and regulatory challenges associated with NP use in skin products are discussed, emphasizing the need for comprehensive safety evaluations and adherence to regulatory standards. Future research directions include optimizing NP formulations for targeted delivery, reducing systemic absorption and improving patient compliance. This review underscores the transformative potential of NPs in dermatology and skincare, advocating for balanced development to maximize benefits while ensuring safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kathryn Haran,1 Chandler E Johnson,1 Payton Smith,1 Zoë Venable,2 Allison Kranyak,1 Tina Bhutani,1 Caleb Jeon,2 Wilson Liao1,3 1Department of Dermatology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; 2Department of Dermatology, Golden State Dermatology, Berkeley, CA, USA; 3Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USACorrespondence: Wilson Liao, Department of Dermatology, University of California San Francisco, 2340 Sutter Street, Box 0808, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA, Tel +1 415 476-8364, Email wilson.liao@ucsf.eduAbstract: Psoriasis is an immune-mediated skin disease known to be associated with a higher risk of cardiometabolic comorbidities such as hypertension, myocardial infarction, and stroke. GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are medications approved to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity and have been reported to improve psoriasis. As more psoriasis patients start GLP-1RAs for approved indications, it is of interest to understand the impact of GLP-1RAs on both psoriasis and associated cardiovascular risk. In this review, we examine the effect of GLP-1RAs on psoriasis and cardiovascular comorbidities—defined as hypertension, stroke, and myocardial infarction. The majority of case reports and prospective cohort studies found GLP-1RAs improved psoriasis, while two randomized controlled trials showed conflicting results. For cardiovascular disease, most studies found GLP-1RAs reduced systolic blood pressure, total stroke, and myocardial mortality. These results suggest that GLP-1RAs may be a particularly promising treatment for psoriasis patients with diabetes or obesity comorbidities, offering both cardioprotective benefits and potential improvement in psoriatic symptoms.Keywords: skin disease, oxidative stress, hypertension, stroke, myocardial infarction

Ayurveda, the ancient system of medicine, comprehensively categorises skin disorders under the term “Kushtharoga”, encompassing a wide spectrum of dermatological conditions. This classification is further elucidated into “Mahakushtha” and “Kshudra Kushtha”, representing major and minor skin diseases, respectively. Major skin ailments include psoriasis, eczema, leprosy, and vitiligo, while minor conditions encompass common issues such as acne and dermatitis. Vicharchika, a term in Ayurveda associated with symptoms akin to eczema, poses a challenge in contemporary medical practices, where treatment options are often limited to antihistamines and topical steroids. The present case report describes the successful Ayurvedic management of a patient presenting with complaints of itching, discharge and erythematous skin lesions on the foot. The 36-year-old female patient was diagnosed with Vicharchika (eczema) and received treatments such as Bahir Parimarjana Chikitsa (External treatment) and Shaman Chikitsa (alleviating treatment) in place of Shodhana (Purification therapy) due to Alpadoshaavastha (immature body tissues), which resulted in significant improvement. The present case underscores the potential efficacy of Ayurvedic interventions, emphasising the importance of personalised treatment strategies in addressing dermatological conditions.

Abstract Skin conditions are becoming increasingly prevalent across the world in current times. With the rise in dermatological disorders, there is a need for computerized techniques that are completely noninvasive to patients’ skin. As a result, deep learning models have become standard for the computerized detection of skin diseases. The performance efficiency of these models improves with access to more data with their primary aim being image classification. In this paper, we present a skin disease detection methodology using image processing techniques, non-local means denoising and convolutional neural network (CNN) backed by sparse dictionary learning. Here, the major benefit of using NLM denoising followed by sparse dictionary learning with CNNs in image classification lies in leveraging a multi-stage approach that enhances the quality of input data, extracts meaningful and discriminative features, and improves the overall performance of the classification model. This combined approach addresses challenges such as noise robustness, feature extraction, and classification accuracy, making it particularly effective in complex image analysis tasks. For denoising, the average Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR) obtained for images from HAM-10000 dataset is 33.59 dB. For the ISIC-2019 dataset, the average PSNR for the train folder is 34.37 dB, and for the test folder it is 34.39 dB. The deep learning network is trained for the analysis of skin cancer images using a CNN model and is achieving acceptable results in classifying skin cancer types. The datasets used contain high-resolution images. After all the tests, the accuracy obtained is 85.61% for the HAM-10000 dataset and 81.23% for the ISIC-2019 dataset, which is on par with existing approaches validated by benchmarking results.

The connection between stress and skin disease has been extensively documented; however, there are no empirical studies investigating the incidence of traumatic event exposure and posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptoms among dermatology patients. To address this gap in the literature and begin to understand the associations between PTS symptoms and skin disease symptoms, this study used a sample of adults with self-reported skin disease symptoms to examine: (1) rates of potentially traumatic event (PTE) exposure and PTS symptoms; and (2) the association between PTS symptoms and skin-related quality of life, controlling for relevant covariates. Data were collected online through Cloud Research, and participants completed a battery of self-report measures. The sample included 310 participants (68.4% female) who endorsed current skin disease symptoms. Results indicated that 47.1% of participants endorsed clinical levels of PTS symptoms. Consistent with hypotheses, greater levels of PTS symptoms were associated with worse skin-related quality of life, and this association was particularly robust for arousal-related symptoms. Results shed light on the occurrence of trauma-related experiences among individuals with self-reported skin disease and indicate a link between PTS symptoms and the perceived burden of skin disease symptoms on daily living. However, this study was cross-sectional and relied on self-report measures; therefore, findings should be interpreted with caution, particularly since diagnoses could not be verified. Replication of this work in dermatology patients is needed to further understand these connections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of this research is to understand the performance comparison of skin disease detection algorithms, identify the advantages of infrared images and visible light images and measure their effectiveness. Materials and methods: This research employs a descriptive method with a quantitative approach and metric algorithms. Data collection is conducted to test hypotheses or answer questions about people's opinions on a topic. Statistical analyses were conducted to compare algorithm performance across imaging modalities, providing valuable insights into their effectiveness and reliability in skin disease diagnosis. Results: The skin disease detection algorithm in infrared images and visible light images needs to be evaluated comprehensively to understand its performance. Performance metrics such as accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score can be used to compare detection results between the two types of images while infrared images provide information on skin temperature. The detection algorithm must have sufficient sensitivity to detect changes in both types of images. The analysis of the skin disease detection algorithm emphasizes how crucial it is to thoroughly evaluate how well it performs in both visible and infrared images. Metrics like F1-score, recall, accuracy, and precision offer important insights into how effective it is. By utilizing two senses, the algorithm becomes more sensitive in identifying different skin diseases. Conclusion: The reliability of algorithms on infrared images may require special adaptation and performance evaluation involves measuring accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score on both types of images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several industries are increasingly focused on enhancing the delivery of active ingredients through the skin to optimize therapeutic outcomes. By facilitating the penetration of active ingredients through the skin barrier, these enhancers can significantly improve the efficacy of various formulations, ranging from skincare products to therapeutic agents targeting systemic circulation. As the understanding of skin physiology and the mechanisms of drug absorption deepen, these industries are adopting permeation enhancers more widely, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and expanded treatment options. However, the structure and physiological function of the skin can vary according to different factors, such as the area of the body and between individuals. These variations, along with external environmental exposures, aging and pathological conditions, introduce complexities that must be carefully considered when designing effective delivery systems. Considering the intricacies of skin structure and physiology, tailoring systems to account for regional differences, individual variability, and changes induced by environmental factors or disease is critical to optimizing therapeutic outcomes. This review discusses the features of skin structure, physiology, and pathologies, as well as the application of permeation enhancers in these contexts. Furthermore, it addresses the use of animal skin models in transdermal delivery and dermatological studies, along with the latest developments in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Health-related stigma and its internalization among individuals with chronic health conditions contribute to impaired mental and physical health and quality of life. Research on health-related stigma has been siloed, with disease-specific measures that may not capture the experiences of individuals with multiple health conditions and that prevent comparisons across health conditions. The current study aimed to develop and test a transdiagnostic measure of internalized health-related stigma for use among adults with different physical health conditions. Methods: An existing measure of internalized mental health stigma was adapted to assess stigma due to chronic physical health conditions following COSMIN procedures, with input from advisory boards of community members living with a range of stigmatized health conditions (obesity, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, skin diseases, HIV, chronic pain, and cancers) and of health professionals who specialized in these conditions. The new Internalized Health-Related Stigma (I-HEARTS) Scale was tested in an online sample of 300 adults with these health conditions, recruited from ResearchMatch. Additional psychosocial measures of mental health and quality of life were administered, and participants provided information about their health conditions and demographic characteristics. Exploratory factor analysis and tests of reliability and validity were conducted to determine the psychometric properties of the I-HEARTS Scale, and k-means clustering and receiver of characteristic curve analysis were used to determine a clinically meaningful cutoff score indicating high levels of internalized stigma. Results: Factor analysis results yielded a 25-item scale with a 3-factor solution, with subscales of Perceived and Anticipated Stigma, Stereotype Application and Self-Devaluation, and Stigma Resistance. Psychometric properties for internal consistency, inter-item and item-total correlations, and test-retest reliability were strong. Certain demographics (e.g., younger age) and characteristics related to health conditions (e.g., greater symptom severity) were associated with higher levels of internalized stigma. I-HEARTS Scale scores correlated moderately to strongly with related but distinct psychosocial measures, and a cutoff score of 3.40 or higher on the 1–7 rating scale was determined to indicate clinically meaningful levels of internalized stigma. Conclusions: The I-HEARTS Scale is a reliable and valid measure for the assessment of internalized health-related stigma among adults with varied stigmatized chronic health conditions. Study pre-registration: https://osf.io/84c5d/?view_only=87238512f6d6475c87f8f64280a8a15f. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Skin involvement is common in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but may be resistant to conventional treatment. We sought to evaluate the efficacy of anifrolumab (ANI) in refractory cutaneous manifestations of SLE. Methods: Case series of patients with refractory cutaneous SLE from three Rheumatology Departments in Greece. Outcome measures were improvement in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K), physician global assessment (PGA) and Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI). Clinically relevant improvement in skin was defined as decrease ≥50% (CLASI50) from baseline values. Results: Eighteen patients received ANI; all had active skin involvement at baseline. Mean (SD) SLEDAI and PGA at ANI initiation were 7.4 (2.7) and 1.4 (0.5), respectively, with a mean prednisone dose 4.9 (4.5) mg/day. Mean CLASI (Activity/Damage) at baseline was 13.9 (9.7)/2.9 (4.6). Patients were refractory to a mean 6.3 (1.5) immunomodulatory agents (including hydroxychloroquine and glucocorticoids) before the initiation of ANI. After a mean 8.5 (4.6) months, 89% (n = 16/18) of patients demonstrated significant improvement in general lupus and cutaneous disease activity, and glucocorticoid tapering. Mean SLEDAI and mean CLASI at last visit were 3.4 (1.9) and 2.1 (2.4)/1.4 (2.2), respectively, and mean daily prednisone dose decreased to 2.4 (2.2). Of note, in this group of highly refractory patients CLASI50 was achieved in 16/18 (89%) patients. One patient discontinued ANI after 4 infusions due to a varicella-zoster virus infection and one patient, who initially responded to treatment with ANI, experienced a skin flare due to temporary discontinuation due to Covid 19 infection. DORIS remission and LLDAS were attained in two (11.1%) and eleven (61.1%) patients, respectively. Conclusion: Anifrolumab is highly effective in various skin manifestations of SLE, even after prior failure to multiple treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skin cancer is a dangerous and prevalent cancer illness. It is the abnormal growth of cells in the outermost of the skin. Currently, it has received tremendous attention, highlighting an urgent need to address this worldwide public health crisis. The purpose of this study is to propose a convolutional neural network (CNN) to help dermatology physicians in the inspection, identification, and diagnosis of skin cancer. More precisely, we offer an automated method that leverages deep learning techniques to categorize binary categories of skin lesions. Our technique enlarges skin cancer by utilizing data pre-processing and augmentation to address the imbalanced class problem. Subsequently, fine-tuning is conducted on the pre-trained models visual geometry group (VGG-19) and MobileNetV2 to extract and classify the image features using transfer learning. The model is tested on the society for imaging informatics in medicine international skin imaging collaboration (SIIM-ISIC) 2020 dataset and achieved an accuracy of 95.16%, sensitivity of 90.83%, specificity of 99.2%, area under curve (AUC) of 97.57%, and precision of 99.06%. The proposed model based on MobileNetV2 outperforms the other techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Summary: Vitiligo is a common disorder characterized by the visible loss of skin pigmentation. Non‐segmental vitiligo (NSV) is the major subtype. The disease is caused by autoimmune‐mediated destruction of melanocytes. Vitiligo leads to stigmatization and a significant reduction in quality of life. Disregarding the psychosocial burden, vitiligo is sometimes viewed solely as a cosmetic problem and, according to a global survey, is diagnosed on average only after 2.4 years. This delay contributes to a considerable burden of disease, including suicidal ideation. Stigmatization promotes the development of psychological comorbidities such as anxiety and depressive disorders, with prevalence rates varying by country and study (0.1%–67.9%). Data for Germany are heterogeneous and largely based on estimates. Due to psychosocial factors, the inflammatory component, and a higher incidence of somatic comorbidities, NSV may be regarded as an inflammatory systemic disease. We recommend optimizing care by incorporating the assessment of quality of life as a standard in routine care, in addition to monitoring disease activity. Moreover, early screening for psychological comorbidities is crucial to initiate appropriate treatment before the condition becomes chronic and cumulative (irreversible) impairments occur. The goal is a personalized and patient‐centered integrated care approach that sustainably improves the health status of those affected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Allergenic foods can trigger skin conditions, yet their impact in Bangladesh remains underexplored. This study aims to investigate the potential association between exposure to allergenic foods and the development of skin disease across Bangladesh. Methods: We conducted a cross‐sectional survey with 970 respondents from the divisions of Dhaka, Sylhet, Rangpur, and Chattogram who self‐reported skin disease triggered by food allergens. We analyzed the data using multiple response analysis and principal component logistic regression. Results: Approximately 64% of respondents had skin disease attributable to allergenic foods, with a relatively higher proportion among females (52%) than males (48%). Beef (67%), Brinjal (47.1%), Hilsa (45.8%), and Shrimp (23.7%) were the most frequently cited allergenic foods. Principal component logistic regression identified two highly significant principal components: the first representing Hilsa, Beef, and Brinjal (odds ratio = 2.256), and the sixth reflecting Corn (odds ratio = 1.342). Individuals who consumed foods with high loadings of the first principal component were 125.6% more likely to develop skin disease than nonconsumers, while those exposed to Corn had a 34.2% higher risk. Conclusion: The findings highlight prevalent allergenic foods in Bangladesh and their substantial impact on skin health, underscoring the need for dietary awareness and tailored interventions to mitigate allergic skin conditions in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ayurveda, the ancient system of medicine, comprehensively categorises skin disorders under the term "Kushtharoga", encompassing a wide spectrum of dermatological conditions. This classification is further elucidated into "Mahakushtha" and "Kshudra Kushtha", representing major and minor skin diseases, respectively. Major skin ailments include psoriasis, eczema, leprosy, and vitiligo, while minor conditions encompass common issues such as acne and dermatitis. Vicharchika, a term in Ayurveda associated with symptoms akin to eczema, poses a challenge in contemporary medical practices, where treatment options are often limited to antihistamines and topical steroids. The present case report describes the successful Ayurvedic management of a patient presenting with complaints of itching, discharge and erythematous skin lesions on the foot. The 36-year-old female patient was diagnosed with Vicharchika (eczema) and received treatments such as Bahir Parimarjana Chikitsa (External treatment) and Shaman Chikitsa (alleviating treatment) in place of Shodhana (Purification therapy) due to Alpadoshaavastha (immature body tissues), which resulted in significant improvement. The present case underscores the potential efficacy of Ayurvedic interventions, emphasising the importance of personalised treatment strategies in addressing dermatological conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Follicular skin disorders, including hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), frequently coexist with systemic autoinflammatory diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and its subtypes, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Previous studies suggest that dysbiosis of the human gut microbiome may serve as a pathogenic link between HS and IBD. However, the role of the microbiome (gut, skin, and blood) in the context of IBD and various follicular disorders remains underexplored. Here, we performed a systematic review to investigate the relationship between follicular skin disorders, IBD, and the microbiome. Of the sixteen included studies, four evaluated the impact of diet on the microbiome in HS patients, highlighting a possible link between gut dysbiosis and yeast-exclusion diets. Ten studies explored bacterial colonization and HS severity with specific gut and skin microbiota, including Enterococcus and Veillonella. Two studies reported on immunological or serological biomarkers in HS patients with autoinflammatory disease, including IBD, and identified common markers including elevated cytokines and T-lymphocytes. Six studies investigated HS and IBD patients concurrently. Our systematic literature review highlights the complex interplay between the human microbiome, IBD, and follicular disorders with a particular focus on HS. The results indicate that dietary modifications hold promise as a therapeutic intervention to mitigate the burden of HS and IBD. Microbiota analyses and the identification of key serological biomarkers are crucial for a deeper understanding of the impact of dysbiosis in these conditions. Future research is needed to more thoroughly delineate the causal versus associative roles of dysbiosis in patients with both follicular disorders and IBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Particulate matter (PM) is a harmful air pollutant composed of chemicals and metals which affects human health by penetrating both the respiratory system and skin, causing oxidative stress and inflammation. This review investigates the association between PM and skin disease, focusing on the underlying molecular mechanisms and specific disease pathways involved. Studies have shown that PM exposure is positively associated with skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, and skin aging. PM-induced oxidative stress damages lipids, proteins, and DNA, impairing cellular functions and triggering inflammatory responses through pathways like aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), NF-κB, and MAPK. This leads to increased production of inflammatory cytokines and exacerbates skin conditions. PM exposure exacerbates AD by triggering inflammation and barrier disruption. It disrupts keratinocyte differentiation and increases pro-inflammatory cytokines in psoriasis. In acne, it increases sebum production and inflammatory biomarkers. It accelerates skin aging by degrading ECM proteins and increasing MMP-1 and COX2. In conclusion, PM compromises skin health by penetrating skin barriers, inducing oxidative stress and inflammation through mechanisms like ROS generation and activation of key pathways, leading to cellular damage, apoptosis, and autophagy. This highlights the need for protective measures and targeted treatments to mitigate PM-induced skin damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skin conditions are becoming increasingly prevalent across the world in current times. With the rise in dermatological disorders, there is a need for computerized techniques that are completely noninvasive to patients' skin. As a result, deep learning models have become standard for the computerized detection of skin diseases. The performance efficiency of these models improves with access to more data with their primary aim being image classification. In this paper, we present a skin disease detection methodology using image processing techniques, non-local means denoising and convolutional neural network (CNN) backed by sparse dictionary learning. Here, the major benefit of using NLM denoising followed by sparse dictionary learning with CNNs in image classification lies in leveraging a multi-stage approach that enhances the quality of input data, extracts meaningful and discriminative features, and improves the overall performance of the classification model. This combined approach addresses challenges such as noise robustness, feature extraction, and classification accuracy, making it particularly effective in complex image analysis tasks. For denoising, the average Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR) obtained for images from HAM-10000 dataset is 33.59 dB. For the ISIC-2019 dataset, the average PSNR for the train folder is 34.37 dB, and for the test folder it is 34.39 dB. The deep learning network is trained for the analysis of skin cancer images using a CNN model and is achieving acceptable results in classifying skin cancer types. The datasets used contain high-resolution images. After all the tests, the accuracy obtained is 85.61% for the HAM-10000 dataset and 81.23% for the ISIC-2019 dataset, which is on par with existing approaches validated by benchmarking results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tirbanibulin 1% ointment is a synthetic antiproliferative agent approved in 2021 by the European Union for treating actinic keratoses (AK). Topical tirbanibulin has clinically resolved HPV-57 (+) squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), HPV-16 (+) vulvar high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, epidermodysplasia verruciformis, and condyloma. We examined how tirbanibulin might affect HPV oncoprotein expression and affect other cellular pathways involved in cell proliferation and transformation. We treated the HeLa cell line, containing integrated HPV-18, with increasing doses of tirbanibulin to determine the effects on cell proliferation. Immunoblotting was performed with antibodies against the Src canonical pathway, HPV 18 E6 and E7 transcription regulation, apoptosis, and invasion and metastasis pathways. Cell proliferation assays with tirbanibulin determined the half‐maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of HeLa cells to be 31.49 nmol/L. Increasing concentrations of tirbanibulin downregulates the protein expression of Src (p < 0.001), phospho-Src (p < 0.001), Ras (p < 0.01), c-Raf (p < 0.001), ERK1 (p < 0.001), phospho-ERK1 (p < 0.001), phospho-ERK2 (p < 0.01), phospho-Mnk1 (p < 0.001), eIF4E (p < 0.01), phospho-eIF4E (p < 0.001), E6 (p < 0.01), E7 (p < 0.01), Rb (p < 0.01), phospho-Rb (p < 0.001), MDM2 (p < 0.01), E2F1 (p < 0.001), phospho-FAK (p < 0.001), phospho-p130 Cas (p < 0.001), Mcl-1 (p < 0.01), and Bcl-2 (p < 0.001), but upregulates cPARP (p < 0.001), and cPARP/fPARP (p < 0.001). These results demonstrate that tirbanibulin may impact expression of HPV oncoproteins via the Src- MEK- pathway. Tirbanibulin significantly downregulates oncogenic proteins related to cell cycle regulation and cell proliferation while upregulating apoptosis pathways.Plain Language Summary: Tirbanibulin is Promising Novel Therapy for Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-associated Diseases. Tirbanibulin 1% ointment is an approved synthetic topical ointment for treating actinic keratoses (AK), a precancer of skin cancer. Topical tirbanibulin has previously been reported to clinically resolve human papillomavirus (HPV)-(+) diseases. In this study, we examine how tirbanibulin may affect the HPV and pathways associated with cancer. We treated the HeLa cell line to determine the effects on HPV cell proliferation. Increasing the concentration of tirbanibulin statistically significantly affected numerous cellular pathways often associated with cancer. These results demonstrate that tirbanibulin may impact expression of HPV oncoproteins and thereby kill cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A wild adult Eurasian eagle owl was presented to a wildlife rehabilitation center and diagnosed with knemidokoptic mange, lice, and blood parasites. Clinical presentation included emaciation and dehydration coupled with skin edema, crusts, and feather loss on the legs. Knemidokoptiasis is rarely reported in wild owls, with only one instance documented in a closely related species, the great horned owl (Bubo virginianus). Although mange is sporadically encountered in wildlife facility patients, a thorough examination looking for a possible underlying immunosuppressive state or the presence of an additional parasitemia is not always conducted. This case was treated with oral ivermectin combined with a topical steroid and antibacterial-antifungal cream in an essential oil and green clay medium for the mite infestation and doxycycline for the treatment of blood parasites. Full recovery was noted 22 days post-admission, notably a shorter time in care than similar case studies described in the literature. This case demonstrates the importance of updating treatment protocols and arriving at a full clinical diagnosis in wild animal patients, as well as the need for performing a detailed parasitic examination to address any underlying issues and raising questions regarding the etiology of the condition. To the author's knowledge, this case study is the only reported instance of medically treating a wild owl of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An outbreak of Psoroptes sp.-caused mange was detected in a llama herd of Larcas, Jujuy province, Argentina. Infested llamas showed alopecia, erythema, hyperpigmentation, hyperkeratosis, and inflammation of the ear pinnae, as well as crusts and serous, serosanguineous, or purulent drainage with unpleasant smell in the external ear canal. Microscopic evaluation of skin scrapings revealed 0.5- to 0.7-mm-long acari identified as Psoroptes sp. based on their morphology. Histology showed a typical allergic reaction with perivascular to periadnexal mixed inflammatory infiltrate. Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene sequences analyzed from the sampled acari clustered into a single P. ovis clade including sequences isolated from rabbits and bighorn sheep, with P. natalensis as a sister taxon that infested bighorn sheep from the USA. Phylogenetic analysis of cytochrome b sequences showed three well-supported clades, one of which contained the sequences of the Larcas llamas and US bighorn sheep isolates. This is the first report on P. ovis infestation of llamas raised in their original location. Investigations on mange etiological agents acting on South American camelids and their distribution are necessary to implement control strategies to mitigate the negative impacts of these parasitic infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aim: Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory, multifactorial disease for which combination therapy could be an effective treatment. In this study, we evaluate the effect of the combination therapy of brimonidine 0.33% and ivermectin 1% as a single cream for the treatment of papulopustular rosacea. Method: A stable and appropriate formulation was prepared by adding the aqueous phase to the lipid phase while being stirred. The stability and physicochemical properties of the formulation were evaluated under accelerated conditions. Twelve patients (36–60 years) with mild to moderate papulopustular rosacea and a Demodex count of five or more were treated with the combination of brimonidine 0.33% and ivermectin 1% cream. Clinician's Erythema Assessment (CEA), Patients Self‐Assessment (PSA), skin erythema (ΔE) and lightness (ΔL), and skin biophysical parameters including transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration, pH, and sebum content, as well as erythema and melanin index and ultrasound parameters, were measured before treatment and 4 and 8 weeks after. Adverse drug reactions were also recorded. Results: CEA and PSA decreased significantly from 3 to 2 after 8 weeks, respectively (p‐value = 0.014 for CEA and 0.010 for PSA). ΔE and ΔL, as well as skin erythema index and TEWL improved after 8 weeks of treatment (p < 0.05). Two patients withdrew from the study in the first week because of local adverse effects; one developed flushing following treatment and left the investigation after 4 weeks and another patient withdrew from the study after 4 weeks due to deciding to become pregnant. Conclusion: Eight‐week treatment with the combination of brimonidine 0.33% and ivermectin 1% was shown to be effective for improvement of erythema and inflammatory lesions in mild to moderate papulopustular rosacea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skin disease image segmentation faces two major challenges: the complex and varied lesion morphology and the presence of interfering image backgrounds. To address these difficulties in skin disease image segmentation, we propose a Residual U-Net architecture with Channel-Space Separate Attention based on depthwise separable convolutions. The multi-scale residual U-Net modules in the encoder efficiently capture multi-scale texture information in lesions and backgrounds within a single stage, overcoming the limitations of U-Net in extracting just local features. The introduction of ConvMixer Block for global contextual modeling contributes to suppress complex background interference and enhances the overall understanding of lesion morphology. Additionally, we employ a Channel-Space Separate Attention mechanism with depthwise separable convolutions(CSSA-DSC) for feature fusion, effectively addressing the limited expressiveness issue associated with U-Net’s direct skip-connection concatenation. Experimental results on the PH2, ISIC 2017, and ISIC 2018 datasets demonstrate our method’s strong multi-scale modeling and feature expression capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dermatological conditions are primarily prevalent in humans and are primarily caused by environmental and climatic fluctuations, as well as various other reasons. Timely identification is the most effective remedy to avert minor ailments from escalating into severe conditions. Diagnosing skin illnesses is consistently challenging for health practitioners. Presently, they rely on conventional methods, such as examining the condition of the skin. State-of-the-art technologies can enhance the accuracy of skin disease diagnosis by utilizing data-driven approaches. This paper presents a Computer Assisted Diagnosis (CAD) framework that has been developed to detect skin illnesses at an early stage. We suggest a computationally efficient and lightweight deep learning model that utilizes a CNN architecture. We then do thorough experiments to compare the performance of shallow and deep learning models. The CNN model under consideration consists of seven convolutional layers and has obtained an accuracy of 87.64% when applied to three distinct disease categories. The studies were conducted using the International Skin Imaging Collaboration (ISIC) dataset, which exclusively consists of dermoscopic images. This study enhances the field of skin disease diagnostics by utilizing state-of-the-art technology, attaining exceptional levels of accuracy, and striving for efficiency improvements. The unique features and future considerations of this technology create opportunities for additional advancements in the automated diagnosis of skin diseases and tailored treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early diagnosis is paramount to preventing skin diseases and reducing mortality, given their global prevalence. Visual detection by experts using dermoscopy images has become the gold standard for detecting skin cancer. However, a significant challenge in skin cancer detection and classification lies in the similarity of appearance among skin disease lesions and the complexity of dermoscopic images. In response, we developed multi-model late feature fusion network (MLFF-Net), a multi-model late feature fusion network tailored for skin disease detection. Our approach begins with image pre-processing techniques to enhance image quality. We then employ a twostream network comprising an enhanced densely linked network (DenseNet121) and a vision transformer (ViTb16). We leverage shallow and deep feature fusion, late fusion, and an attention module to enhance the model's feature extraction efficiency. The subsequent feature fusion module constructs multi-receptive fields to capture disease information across various scales and uses generalized mean pooling (GeM) pooling to reduce the spatial dimensions of lesion characteristics. Finally, we implement and test our skin lesion categorization model, demonstrating its effectiveness. Despite the combination, convolutional neural network (CNN) outperforms ViT approaches, with our model enhancing the accuracy of the best model by 6.1%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psoriasis, a systemic autoimmune disorder primarily affecting the skin, manifests through erythematous plaques and scales, impacting approximately 2–3% of the global population. Chronic periodontitis, a prevalent oral disease characterized by the destruction of tooth-supporting tissues, affects roughly 10–15% of adults worldwide. Emerging evidence suggests a bidirectional relationship between psoriasis and chronic periodontitis, supported by epidemiological studies indicating a higher prevalence of periodontitis among individuals with psoriasis and vice versa. Both conditions are chronic inflammatory diseases marked by dysregulated immune responses and altered cytokine profiles, notably involving proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-17. Clinical studies highlight a reciprocal impact of treating one condition on the other, underscoring the necessity of interdisciplinary collaboration between dermatologists and periodontists in managing patients with both conditions. This narrative review provides a comprehensive overview of the relationship between psoriasis and chronic periodontitis, examining epidemiological associations, shared inflammatory pathways, genetic insights, microbial dysbiosis, environmental factors, and clinical implications. The review emphasizes the importance of integrated care approaches and the potential for targeted therapeutic interventions to improve both psoriatic and periodontal patient outcomes, advocating for further research into the molecular and cellular mechanisms underpinning the comorbidity of these diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background and Objectives: Adoption and acceptance of digital health services (DHS) in the German population and in persons with skin diseases is unclear. Both factors were analyzed in this survey. Methods: A standardized survey with items on digital competences and attitudes, use and acceptance of DHS was applied to a representative sample of the German adult population. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted. Results: Out of 2,101 participants, 29.9% reported having had skin diseases in the last 12 months. Among them, adoption and acceptance were at 43.6% and 52.3%, respectively. Both values are significantly higher compared to participants without skin diseases (29.2%; p < 0.01 and 45.5%; p < 0.01). 18.9% of participants with a skin disease used digital diagnostic support, but only 9.7% applied it for a skin disease (p < 0.01). For all participants, with and without skin disease, the DHS most commonly used were passive health monitoring (14.3%) and diagnostic support (11.5%), telemedicine was least used (4.7% video‐consultation, 2.5% store‐and‐forward). Use and acceptance were associated with young age, education, low data privacy concerns, digital confidence, having a skin disease, and high severity of skin disease. Conclusions: DHS for skin diseases are used rarely but have a high potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dermatology is an important specialty in veterinary medicine, focusing on the skin and its appendages. Therefore, the present study highlighted the percentage of skin disorders, as well as their associated risk factors, from cases received at the Parasitology-Dermatology clinic of the Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine (IAV Hassan II), Rabat, Morocco for two years. A total of 1561 dogs (1450 dogs were in 28 different pure breeds and 111 dogs were mongrels, 805 males, and 756 females, with an average age of 6.5 years old) were presented at the University Veterinary Teaching Hospital (UVTH) of the IAV Hassan II from the end of October 2020 to the end of May 2022 (including vaccinations) and 125 dogs were assessed and 161 skin diseases were found (a few dogs had more than one skin disease). Dermatological examinations represented an average of 8.00% (125/1561) of all canine cases received at the University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. The most common clinical signs were pruritus, alopecia, erythema, onychogryphosis, and visible ectoparasites. Parasitic dermatoses were the most frequent, representing 44.10% of all dermatological cases, followed by allergic dermatoses (25.47%) and fungal skin infections (19.25%). Bacterial skin infections and dermatological manifestations of endocrine disorders were infrequent, representing 8.70% and 2.48%, respectively of all observed cases. Risk factors contributing to the occurrence of canine skin disorders included age and lifestyle for sarcoptic mange. An apparent predilection for the living environment was observed in the case of canine leishmaniosis, and an apparent predilection for sex regarding otodectic mange was also demonstrated. Similar results were found for the living environment and lifestyle concerning canine atopic dermatitis. Data reported herein fill gaps in knowledge of skin disorders and their associated risk factors in dogs in Morocco, demonstrating the dominance of skin diseases of zoonotic interest, including flea bite allergy dermatitis (FBAD), dermatophytosis, and canine leishmaniosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitiligo, an autoimmune skin disorder characterized by melanocyte loss, has long been associated with sympathetic nervous system activity. Clinical observations have suggested links between psychological stress, sympathetic activation, and vitiligo progression. However, direct experimental evidence for the role of sympathetic nerves in vitiligo development has been lacking. Herein, we employed 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) to induce sympathetic nerve depletion in mice before vitiligo induction. Sympathetic nerve ablation was confirmed through immunofluorescent staining of tyrosine hydroxylase. Vitiligo progression was assessed by quantifying epidermal melanocytes and CD8+ T cells using whole-mount immunofluorescence staining. The loss of melanocytes and infiltration of CD8+ T cells in vitiligo lesions were comparable between sympathectomized and control mice. Overall, our study suggested that previously observed associations between sympathetic nervous system activity and vitiligo may be concomitant effects rather than causative factors, challenging long-held clinical hypotheses.

Metastastic disease affects up to 50% of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and is associated with particularly poor outcomes in the presence of the BRAF V600E mutation. Herein, we report a patient with initial diagnosis of stage IIIc CRC, who presented during follow-up (adjuvant phase) with dysphagia, left-sided lagophthalmos and multiple skin nodules. The ensuing work-up revealed disseminated metastatic disease from the primary CRC, which was BRAF V600E-mutated (retrospective tissue analysis), affecting, besides the lungs, multiple uncommon sites, such as the skin and parotid gland. The patient’s rapid disease progression did not allow for any therapeutic interventions. This is only the second report of concomitant metastatic infiltration of the skin and parotid gland by CRC, and the first with a documented molecular background of BRAF V600E mutation. BRAF V600E-mutated CRC can follow an aggressive and often unpredictable clinical course in the metastatic setting that physicians should be aware of, and the molecular profile of the tumor at diagnosis could be useful for comprehensive and timely management.