Journal of dermatological science
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Superficial BCCs (sBCCs) usually appear as multiple lesions in chronic sun-damaged skin of elderly people and may show a destructive growth if left untreated. Non-invasive treatment modalities, such as cryotherapy have been employed for sBCCs, all failing to provide tissue for confirming diagnosis and assessing adequacy of tumour removal. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM), a new non-invasive imaging technique has proven to be a useful tool for detection of basal cell carcinoma in vivo. ⋯ Early cell necrosis within upper dermal structures seems to correlate with ablation of overlying tumour tissue. When it is not produced by cryotherapy, a second treatment should be considered.
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Contact dermatitis is an integral part of dermatology. Many patients affected by contact dermatitis suffer significant morbidity and require prompt diagnosis and treatment. Here we give an overview of contact dermatitis related presentations made during the British Contact Dermatitis Society at 87th annual meeting of the British Association of Dermatologists, which took place on 10-13 July 2007 in Birmingham, UK.
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B cells have been demonstrated to have critical roles in developing autoimmune bullous diseases. Recently identified tumor necrosis factor-like molecules, B cell-activating factor of the TNF family (BAFF) and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) are essential molecules for B cell development, survival, and proliferation. Although the functions of APRIL have not been fully evaluated, recent studies suggest that circulating levels of APRIL are increased in various autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. ⋯ Circulating APRIL levels were significantly elevated in BP patients but not in PV patients, and correlated with serum BAFF levels. Our study revealed that serum APRIL levels tended to be increased in the quite early stage of disease. In conclusion, circulating APRIL levels may be a useful marker for early activation of autoimmune diathesis, and furthermore, an effective therapeutic target molecule in patients with BP.
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Epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV) is a rare autosomal recessive disease. The main clinical features include three kinds of lesions, high risk of skin cancer, and abnormal susceptibility to HPV 5 and 8. Recent studies have shown that mutations in EVER1 and EVER2 genes are responsible for the condition. ⋯ The growing number of mutations in EV pedigrees supports the hypothesis that EVER1 and EVER2 are the molecular basis of EV.